
Glass_. 
Book- 



i 



LIFE 



GEORGE WASHIJVGTONi 

COMMANDER IN CHIEF 

OF THE ARMIES, 

AND LATE PRESIDENT OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



BY JOHN CORRY, 

AUTHOR OF "A SATmiCAL VIEW OF LONDON, 8cc/* 

INCLUDING 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, AND THE 

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, 

FROM THE SECOND LONDON EDITION, WITH CORREC* 
TIONS, ADDITIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



"Th' applause of list'ning senates to command. 

The threats of pain and ruin to dispise. 

To scatter plenty o'er a smiling- land. 

And read his history in a nation's eyes." Gra y 



NEW-roRK : 

PRINTED BY, AND FOR, JOHN LOW, AT SHAKES^ 
■'PEAHE'S HEAD, NO. 33. CHATHAM-STREET. 

1807. 



District of Ne'ivA'orh^ to w/f.^ASft***^'^'"^'" 

^.«,>.».<.4..,..*^ J3£ YY REMEMBERED, That on 
t L» S, X the thirt€eiuh day of April, in the eigh- 
♦j^»<..<-<<-<>"5t teen hundred and feventh year of our 
Lord, and in the thirty firft year of the 
Independence of the United States of America, 
JOHN LO W,.of the fald diflrid, hath depofited in 
this Office, the tide of a book the light whereof he 
claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit. 

*'The Life of George Wafliington, Command- 
er in chief of the Armies, and late Piefident of 
the United States of America, by JOHN COR- 
IIY, author of a **i'atirical view of London" 
c^c. Licludiug the ■ Lhrclaration of Indepen- 
dence, and the • (yondituticn of the United 
btaies. Firft American edition, from the fe- 
cond London edition, with corre»5lions, addi- 
tions, and improvements." 

"Th' applause of list'ning sentites to command, 

'1 he threats of pain andruin to dispise. 

To scatter plenty o'er a sraiiing land. 

And read kh h'ul'iy in a nation's cyci." Gray. 

In conformity to the Att of (^ongrefs of the Uni- 
ted States, entitled '*An Act for the encourage- 
jnent of Learning, by IVcuring the Copies of Maps, 
Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors 
of I'uch Copies during the times liierin mentioned." 
;ind alio to the AcX entitled, '^An Act fupplementery 
to an Act entitled *'An Act for the encouragement 
of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, 
and Books, to the authors and proprietors of fuch 
copies during the time therin mentioned, and extend- 
ing the benefits thereof to the Arts ofdeligning, en- 
griiving^ And etching, hiilorical and other prints." 

EDWARD DUNSCOMB, CIcrA of 
the Distirct of Nciv-Tork, 



%iis 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



THE following Biographical Sketch is fimply a 
narrative of fads ; in which the virtues and errors 
of the American Hero are detailed. It has beea 
the Author's Rudy to give an impartial hiftory of 
this eminent charader, fuch as in point of veracity 
will bear the ftri(5le[l invcftigatlon. Be fides nun: - 
erous reccomendations, the following ate fuppofed 
to be fufficlent to fliow the merits of the work. 

<* THE leading events of the Life of General 
Wafliington are here detailed with accuracy. — 
This work may be ufeful in bringing the whole of 
his life into a point of view, and may form a uftful 
book of reference. It is not deQitute of candour 
or information'* 

British Critic, 

" Mr. Corry's Treatise will furnidi young rea- 
ders with a good abridged narrative of the leading e- 
vents attending the American Revolution ; togeth- 
er with various interefting particulars relating to 
General Walhington, &c. written with candour, Ec 
in a lively, pleafing flyle." 

IJew Annuel Regis ten 

** This Publication may be ufeful to the general 
clafs of readers ; for it is every way unexceptiona- 
ble, and is written in a lively and agreeable ftyle.'* 

MontUy Review, 



LIFE 



&EORGE WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTION. 

X HE lives of great and pious men are 
generally reckoned some of the mod uleful 
books which have been publifhed. But 
there feems a peculiar propriety in laying be- 
fore the world what can be known of the val-^ 
our and enterprife of thofe, who have filled 
more eminent ftations in it, and did^inguifh-. 
ed themfelves by their good condu6l, and 
zeal in the fcrvice of their country. 

In the hiftory of man, we contemplate 
with particular fatisfadlion thofe legiflators 
and heroes, whofe wifdom and valour have 
contributed to the happinefs of the human 
fpecies. Wc trace the luminous progreis 
of thofe excellent beings with fecret com- 
placency ; our emulation is roufed, while 
we behold them fteadily purfue the path 



6 THE LIFE OF 

of refVItude, in defiance of every obflruc- 
tion ; we rejoice that we are of the fame 
fpecies, and thus felflove bcconnes the 
hand-maid of virtue. 

Among thofe patriots who have a claim 
to our veneration, George Walhington ap- 
pears in a confpicuous place in the firft 
rank. 

Providence always has a wise end, in the 
appointments of inftruments for his own 
purpofe, both as relates to the happinefs of 
his people, and of nations. No nation pro- 
bably on earth were ever more happily di- 
re6led to its choice (under Providence) than 
this for a Chief to fight the battles in the 
field, and lead their councils in the Cabinet 
and Senate. Without ambition or pride, 
unsought for, or folicited, he, when called 
ypon on the mod urgent circumftances, by 
the united voice of his countrymen, with 
much diffidenccj tho' with great courage, 
came forward, to defend his country's rights, 
and revenge her wrongs. 

Previous however, to a biographical de- 
fcription of this diftingiiifhed character, we 
Ihall give fome general outlines of the firft 
fettlcmeat of the ilage on which he fo con- 
fpicuoufly ilione. 

We fhall then trace the rife and progrefs 
of one whofe nam.e from a love of coun- 
try, will, amongfthis countrymen, and the 
world iivc for ever 1. 



GEORGE WASHING!:ON. 



CHAPTER II. 

America known to the ancients*, ^Disccoery of by 
Christopher Columhus,.,.His birth., ..Life... Appli- 
cations for his intended Voyage,,, Jssab<illa patron^ 
ess of Columbus. 

ir is believed by many, and not without 
fome plaufible foundationj that America was 
known to the ancients. Of this, however, 
hiilory affords no certain evidence. What- 
ever difcoveries may have been made in th^ 
weftern world, by the Carthaginians, the 
Norwegians, the Germans by M?^doc, prince 
of N. Wales, or other early adventures, 
they have long been loit to the world, if in- 
deed they ever exifted. 

Christopher CclumbuSy who undoubtedly 
deferves the honor of having difcovered A- 
merica, was by birth a Genoefe ; and who 
had been early trained to a fea-faring life, &r 
having acquired every branch of [knowledge 
connecled with that profcfTion, was no lefs 
diflinguifhed by his fl<.ill and abilities, than 
for his intrepid and perfevering fpirir. This 
man, when about forty years of age, had 
formed the great idea of reaching the East- 
Indies by failing weUvv^ard : but, as his for- 
tune was very fmall, and the attempt re- 
quired very effedlual patronage, defirous 
that his native countiy fhould profit by his 



C THE LIFE OF 

fuccefs, he laid his plan before the fenate of 
Genoa, but the fcheme appearing chinneri- 
cal, it was rejedled. He then repaired to 
the court of Portugal; and although the 
Portuguefe were at that time diflinguifhcd 
for their commercial fpirit, and John II. 
who then reigned, was a difcerning and en- 
terprifing prince, yet the prepofTeffions of 
the great men in his court, to whom the 
matter was referred, caufed Columbus final- 
ly to fail in his attempt there alfo. He then 
applied ro Ferdinand and Ifabella, king and 
queen of Arragon and Caflile, and at the 
fame time fent his brother Bartholomew 
(who followed the flune profefTion, and who 
was well qualified to fill the immediate place 
under fuch a leader) to England, to lay the 
propofal before Henrv VII. which likewife, 
very fortunately for the future well being of 
that country, met with no fuccefs. Many 
were the years which Chriftopher Columbus 
fpent in ineffe^Elual attendance at the Cafti- 
lian court ; the impoverifhed flate intowhick 
the finances of the united kingdoms were re^ 
duced, by the war with Granada, repreffing 
every difpofition to attend to great defigns; 
bur the war being at lafl terminated the pow- 
erful mind of ■fabella broke all obRacles; 
fhe declared herfelf the patronefs of Colum- 
bus, whiKl her hulLanvi Ferdinand, declining 
to partake as an adventurer in the voyage^ 



GtoktZ ^ASrlilNGTOK. 9 

only gave it a fandlion of his name. Thiis 
did the fuperior genius of a wonaan effe(5t the 
difcovcry of one half the globe. 



CHAPTER IIL 

Columbus's Fieet.,,, Expenses of the expedition,,, 'i 

Sets sail Discontent and mutiny on board 

Resolution to return,*, •Appearance of land,.,,IsU 
ands discovered. ,*St, Salvador. ,,Gomora,.,Juanna 

M.,,,Hispaniola Forms a settlement Returns 

home with some oj the natives*, %,Carribee Island^ 
,,,, Arrives at Falos* 

xVfTER the many unfuccefsful attempts, 

by Columbus and his Brother to gain fufH- 
cienc patronage, for carrying into efFedl fo 
great an enterprife and at laft fuccecding, 
the next ftep was, to fit out as competant a 
fleet as the neceflity of the cafe and the fin- 
ance of hispatronefs would admit. Accor- 
dingly, one large and two fmall fhips were 
all his fleet, on board of which were in all 
ninety men. 

Although the expence of the expedition 
had long remained the fole obftacle to its be- 
ing undertaken, yet, when every thing was 
provided, the coft did not amount to more 
than ;S 17,760, and there were twelve months 
provifions put on board. 

Columbus fee fail from Port Palos, in th$ 



10 THE LIFE OF 

province of A ndalufia, on the third of Aii- 
guft 1492 : he proceeded to the Canary ifl- 
ands, and from thence diredted his courfe 
due W. in the latitude of about 28. N. In 
this courfe he continued for two months, 
without falling in with any land: which cauf- 
ed fuch a fpirit of difcontent and mutiny to 
arife, as the fuperior addrefs and nianage- 
ment of the commander became unequal to 
reprefs, although for thefe qualities he was 
eminently diflinguifhed. He was at length 
reduced to the necefTity of entering into a 
folemn engagement to abandon the enter- 
prifcj and return home, if hj\d did not ap- 
pear in three days. Probably he would not 
have been able to reftrain his people fo long 
from a6ls of violence and outrage, in purfu- 
ing fo untried and dreary a courfe, had they 
not been fenfible that their fafety depended 
very much on his flciil as a navigator, in con- 
ducing the vefTels. 

At length the appearance ofland chang- 
ed their defpondency to the mod exulting 
rapture. It was an ifland abounding with 
inhabitants, both fexes of which were quite 
naked ; their manners kind, gentle, and un- 
fufpe(5bing. Columbus named it San Salva- 
dor : It is one of the duller which bears the 
general name of Bahamas ; it was only 3. 
30. lat. to the S. of the ifland o^Gomora, one 
of the Canaries, from whence he took his de- 
parture. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. ll 

Proceeding to the S.- he faw three other ifl« 
ands, which he named St. Mary of the Con- 
ception, Ferdinand, and Ifabella. At length 
he arrived at a very large iOand, and as he 
had taken fevenofthe natives ofSan Salva- 
dor on board, he learned from them that it 
was called Cuba, but he gave it the name of 
Juanna. He next proceeded to an ifland 
which he called Espagnola^ in honour of the 
kingdom by v;hich he was employed, and it 
flill bears the name of Hispajiiola. Here he 
built a fort, and form.ed a fmall fcttlem.ent. 
He then returned home, having on board 
Ibme ofthe natives, whom^ he had taken fi-ohi 
the diflerenr iflands; fteeiing a more fouth- 
crn courfe, lie fell in with fome ofthe Car- 
ribce iflands ; and arrived at the Port of Pa- 
los on the 15th of March 1493jhaving been 
iCiv^n months and eleven days on this mod 
important voyagfi. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Arrival of Columbus. ,,\ His second' voyage.. ». Conjee- 
tu^ es about the Country,... Sails in Sept. 1,493.... 
Ueturns I 496.... 1498 Sails again,. ..Continent of 
America discovered,,,, Sebastian Cabot.,.. I 502 CoU 
Iambus makes a fourth voj/age,...Amertcus Vespu- 
cius's enterprise. .,,His narrative, ...The continent 
called bj bis name. 

kJn his arrival, letters patent were ifTued 
by the king and queen, confirming to Col- 



12 THE LXFE OF 

umbus-and to his heirs all the privileges con- 
tained in a capitulation which had been ex- 
ecuted before his departure, and his family 
ennobled. 

Nothing could pofTibly tend more effed- 
ually to roufe every active principle in hu- 
man nature, than the difcoveries which Col- 
umbus had made ; no time "was, therefore 
loft, nor expence fpared, in preparing a fleet 
of (hips, with which this great man iliould 
revifit the countries made known. Seven- 
teen fhips were got ready in fix months, and 
1550 perfons embarked on board them, a- 
mong whom were many of noble families, 
and who had filled honourable Rations.— 

Thefe eegaged in the enterprifes from the 
cxpeclations, that the newly difcovered 
country was either the Cephango of Marco 
Paulo, or the Ophir from which Solomon 
obtained his gold and precious merchandife. 

In September 1493, Columbus failed up- 
on his fecond voyage to America ; during 
the performance of which, he difcovered the 
iflands of Dominica^ Maiigalante, Gauda- 
loupe, Montferrat, Antigua, Porto-Rico, & 
Jamaica ; and returned to Spain in 1496. 
In 1498 he i^ailed a third time for America; 
and onthcfirft of Auguft, attained the great 
obje(5l of his ambition, by difcovering the 
Continent of America, near the mouth of 
the Oroonoko. He then coafted along weft- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. li 

ward, making other difcoverics for two hun- 
dred leagues, to Cape Vela, fronn which he 
croOTed over to Hifpaniola. His fuccefs pro- 
duced a crowd of adventurers, among whom 
Sebaftian Cabot, in the fervice of Henry 
VII. of England, had the good fortune to 
difcover the Northern Continent, in 1497. 
In 1502 Columbus made his fourth voyage 
to Hifpaniola ; thence he went over to the 
Continent, difcovered the Bay of Honduras; 
thence failed along the main fhore eafterly 
two hundred leagues, to Cape Gracias a 
Dios, Veragua, Porto Bello, and the Gulf of 
Darien. Here it may be proper to add, 
that, among other adventurers to the new 
world, was Americus Vefpucius, a Floren- 
tine gentlemen, whom Ferdinand had ap- 
pointed to draw fea-charts, and to whom he 
had given the title of chief pilot. This man 
accompained Ojeda, an enterprifing Spanifh 
adventurer to America ; and having with 
much art, and fome degree of elegance, 
drawn up an amufing hiftory of his voyage, 
he publilhed it to the world. It was circu- 
lated rapidly, and read with admiration. In. 
his narrative he had infinuated that the glory 
of having firft difcovered the continent in th^: 
new wodd belonged to him. This was in 
part believed, and the country began to be 
called after the name of its flippofed firft dif- 
coverer. The unaccountalDlc caprice of 
B 



-14 THE LIFE OF 

mankind has perpetuated the error ; fo thac 
now, by the univerfal confent of all nations, 
this new quarter of the world is called A- 
MERicA. Thus the nanne of Americus has 
fupplanted that of Columbus, and mankind 
are left to regret an a6l of injuflice which, 
having been landlioned by time, they can 
never redrefs. 



CHAPTER V. 

Columhu5*sfamc.,..Jo1tn Cabot's enteprlrse 1496.... 
Johti Ponce sailed \ 5\ d... .Sebastian Cabot and 
Thomas Perl's survey \ Jl6.,,. France attempts a 
discGverj \ 524:. ...Stephen Gomez sails 1525.... 
James Carter sails 1 534.-. ...Francis la Roche 1 522 
....Ferdinand de Soto sails \5Z9.,.. Admiral Chatil- 
Ion sent out a fleet 155 2 under command of Jolm 
Ribalt. ...Albert slain.... Ribali's secend vojage.,,, 
Milandes massacre, .».Laudomires' escape. .*,Doni' 
inique de Gourdes' enterprise, 

JL HE fame which Colum/ous had acquir- 
ed by his firfldifcoveries on this vveflern con- 
tinent, having fpread through Europe, in- 
fpired many with a fpirit of enterprife. As 
early as 1496, only four years after the firll 
difcovery of America, John Cabot, a Ven- 
etian, obtained a.comminion fiom Henry 
VII. to difcover unknown lands, and annex 
them to the crown. In the fpring he failed 
from England, with two fhips, carrying with 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 15 

him his three fons. In this voyage, which 
was intended for China, he fell in with the 
N. (ide of Terra Labrador, and coailed as 
far as 67. Lat. N. — Next year he made a 
iecond voyage with his fon Seba{lian,who af- 
terwards proceeded in the difcoveries which 
his father had begun. On the 24th June/, 
he difcovercd Bonavifta, on the N. E. fide 
of Newfoundland ; traverfed the coaft from 
Davis's Straits to Cape Florida; and in 1502, 
brought three natives of Newfoundland to 
Henry VII. In 1513, John Ponce failed 
from Porto Rico northerly, and difcovered 
the continent in 30. 8. Lat. N. He landed 
in April, a feafon when the country around 
was covered with verdure, and in full bloom. 
This circumftance induced him to call the 
country Florida, which, for many years, 
was the common name for both N. and S. 
America. In 1516, Sir Sebaftian Cabot and 
Sir Thomas Pert, explored the coaft as far 
as Brazil in South America. This vafb ex- 
tent of country, the coaft whereof was thus 
explored, remained unclaimed and unfettled 
by any European power (except the Span- 
iards in South America,) for almoft a centu- 
ry from the ti;ne of its difcovery. It was 
not till 1524 that France attempted difcov- 
eries on the American coaft. Stimulated 
by his enterprifing neighbours, Francis I. 
fent John Verrazona, a Florentine, to A- 



16 THE LIFE OF 

merica^ to make diicoveries ; who traverfed 
the coaft from Lat. 28. to 50. N. but in a 
fecond voyage, fome time after, was loft. — 
In 1525, Stephen Gomez, failed from Groyn 
in Spain, to Cuba and Florida, thence north- 
ward to Cape Razo, in Lat. 46. N. in fearch 
of a N. W. paflage to the Eaft Indies. In 
^the fpring 1534, by the diredion of Francis 
I. a fleet was fitted out at St. Malo's in 
France, with defign to make difcoveries.— 
The command of this fleet was given to 
James Car tier. He arrived at Newfound- 
land in May of this year. Thence he failed 
northerly -, and, on the day of the feftival of 
St. Lawrence, he found himfelfin about Lat. 
43. 30. N. in ih^ midft of a broad gulf, 
which he ^namcd St. Lawrence. lie .gave 
the lame name to the river which empties 
into it. In this voyage, he failed ^a^ far N. 
as Lat. 51. expelling in vain to find a paf- 
fage to China. Next year he failed up the 
river St. Lawrence 300 leagues to a great 
and fwift fall. He called the country New 
France ; buiik a fort in which he fpent 
ifhe Vv'inter, and .returned in the following 
fpring to France. In 1522, Francis la 
Roche was fent to Canada, by the French 
king, with three (hips and 200 men, women 
and children. They wintered here in a fort 
which they had built, and returned in the 
fpring. In 1578, the king of France com-» 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 17 

miffioned the Marquis de la Roche to con- 
quer Canada, and other countries not poflelT- 
ed by any Chriilian prince. We do not 
learn, however, that la Rocheever attempt- 
ed to execute his comnnifrion, or that any 
further attempts were made to fettle Cana- 
da during this century. On 12th May, 
1539, Ferdinand de Soto, with 900 men, 
befides feamen, failed from Cuba, having for 
his objedl the conquefl: of Florida, On the 
30th of May, he arrived at Spirito Santo, 
from whence he travelled northward 450 
leagues from the fea. Here he difcovered 
a river of a quarter of a mile wide, and nine- 
teen fathoms deep, on the bank of which he 
died and was buried, May 1552, aged 42 
years, Alverdo, his fucceffor, built 7 bri- 
gantines, and the year following embarked 
upon the river. In 17 days he proci?edcd. 
down the river 400 leagues, where he judged 
it to be 15 leagues wide. From the large- 
nefs of the river at that place of his embark . 
ation, he concluded its fource muft have 
been m.ore than 800 leagues. As he pafled 
down the river, he found it opened by two 
mouths into the gulf of Mexico. Thefe cir- 
cumftances lead us to conclude, that this riv- 
er, fo early difcovered, was the one which 
we now call the MilTiffippi. In 1562, ad- 
miral Chatillon of France, fent out a fleet 
under the command of John Ribalt. He 

B2 



IS THE LIFE ©F 

arrived at Cape Francois on the coaft of 
Florida, near which, on the firft of May, he 
difcovered and entered a river which he cal- 
led May river. It is probable, this river is 
the fame which we now call St. Mary's, 
which forms a part of the fouthern bounda- 
ry of the United States. As he coafted norths 
ward he difcovered 8 other rivers, one of 
which he called Port R^oyal, and failed up it 
feveral leagues. On one of the rivers he 
built a fort, and called it Charles, in which 
he left a colony, under the dire6lion of cap- 
tain Albert. The feverity of Albert's mea- 
fures excited a mutiny, in which, to the rui^ 
of the colony, he was flain. Two years after, 
Chatillon fent Rene Laudomier, with three 
fhips, to Florida. V In June he arrived at the 
river May, on which he built a fort, and, in 
honour of his king Charles IX. he called it 
Carolina. In Auguft, captain Ribalt ar- 
rived at Florida the fecond time, with a fleet 
of (tvtn vefiels to recruit the colony, which, 
two years before, he had left under the dir- 
ection of the unfortunate capt. Albert. In 
September, Pedro Meiandes, with fix Span- 
ish vfliips, purfued Ribalt up the liver on 
which he had fettled, and overpowering him 
in numbers, cruelly mafiacred him and his 

' whole company. Meiandes, having in his 
way taken poflefllon cf the 'country, butk 

i^^^-eeJbrts, and left thcm^garrifoned with 



1200 foldiers. Luadomier and liis colony on 
May river, receivinginformation of the fate 
of Ribalt, took the alarm, and efcaped to 
France. In 1567, a fleet of three (hips was 
i'ent fronn France to Florida, under the com- 
mand of Dominique de Gourges. Theob- 
jed was to d'TpolTe-fs the Spaniards of chat 
part of Florida which they had fo cruelly and 
unjuftifiably feized three years before. He 
arrived on the coaft of Florida, April 1568, 
and foon after made a fuccefsful attack upon 
the forts, the recent cruelty of Melandes and 
his company excited revenge and retaliation. 
He took the forts; put mofl of the Span» 
iards to the fword, and having buried and 
-demolifhed all their fortrefles, returned to 
France. 

CHAPTER VL 

Captain For6isher's voyage \ 576, ..Sir Humphrey 
' Gilbert's patent,., .Lands Jlugust 1583 in Concept 
, tion Baj....Adrain Gilbdrt's patentf and Sir WaU 
ter Raleigh's by ^tecn Elizabeth 1 584... .LanaV 
in Virginia-. .:Grcenville's adventure \^^ 5... »Gov^ 
enor White ivith a cba*-ter sails \S^7 ....Bartholo- 
■ meiv Gosland's 'iiayage..,.Pring and Brown sent by 
-Walter 'RaleJgb 1603. ...Gilbert's voyage.. .JVey- 
mouth's discovery „„DivJsion of Virginia.,,, Lon- 
don and Plymouth companies,, ..James-town burnt 
,,,.Raivley Gilberts voyage. ,,, 3Ir, Robijison and 
congregation* 



1 



N 1576^ captain forbiflicr was fcntt© Jjad 



3^0 THE LIF£ or 

out a N. W, paffage to the Eaft Indies. The 
firft landing which he made on thecoaft was 
upon a cape, which he called Qiiecn Eliza- 
beth's Foreland. In coafting northerly he 
difcovercd the ilraits which bear his name. 
He profecuted his fearch for a paflage into 
the .Atlantic ocean, till he was prevented by 
the ice, and then returned to Fngland. In 
1579, Sir Humphrey Gilbert obtained a pa- 
tent from queen Klizahoth for lands not yet 
polTeiTed by any Chridian prince, provided 
he would take pofTeffion within fix years. — 
With this encouragement he failed for A- 
merica; on the firft: of Auguft, 1583, anchor- 
ed in Conception Bay. Afterwards he dif- 
covered and took poflelTion of St. John*s 
Harbour, and the country fouth ; but in pur- 
fuing his difcoveries he was unfortunately 
loft, and the intended fettlement prevented. 
In 1584, two patents were granted by queen 
Elizabeth, one to Adrain Gilbert, the other 
to Sir Waiter Raleigh, for lands not in pof- 
fefiion of any Chriflian prince. By the dir- 
edlion of Sir Walter, two (hips, were fitted 
and fent out, under the command of Philip 
Amidas, and Arthur Barlow. In July they 
arrived on the coafl:, and anchored in»a har- 
bour 7 leagues W. of the Roanoke. On 
the 13th July, they took pofTefiion of the 
country, and in honor of their virgin queen 
Elizabeth, they called it Virginia, which 




eEORGE WASHINGTON. ^ 

for fome time after became the common 
name for all North America. In 1585, 
Sir Walter Raleigh, fent Sir Richard Grcn- 
viUe to America with feven fhips. He 
arrived at Woconon harbour in June- 
Having ilationed a colony of more than one 
hundred pc-ople at Roanoke, under the di- 
redlion of captain Ralph Lane, he coailed 
N. E. as far as Chefapeke Bay. Hie colo- 
ny under Captain Lane endured extreme 
hardfhips, and mufl have perifhed, had not 
Sir Francis Drake fortunately returned to 
Virginia and carried them to England, af- 
ter having made feveral conquefts for the 
queen in the Weft-Indies and other places. 
A fortnight after, Sir Richard Grenville ar- 
rived with new recruits ; and left fifty men 
at the fame place. In 1587, Sir Walter fent 
another company to Viigina, under gover- 
nor White, with a charter and twelve affis- 
tants. In July he arrived at Roanoke.^— 
Not one of the fecond company remained. 
He determined, however to rifk a third co- 
lony. Accordingly he left one hundred and 
fifteen people at the old fettlement, and re- 
turned to England. In 1590, gov. White 
came over to Virginia with fupplies and re^ 
cruits for his colony; but, to his great grief, 
not a man was to be found. They had all 
miferably familhed with hunger, or been 
maiTacred by the Indians. In 1602, Bar- 



22 THE LITK OB 

tholomevv Gofnold, with thirty fiv^e perfons^ 
made a voyage to N. Virginia, and difcover- 
ed and gave names to Cape Cod, Martha's 
Vineyard, Elizabeth iflands, and to Dover 
Cliff. Elizabeth iOand was the place which 
they fixed for their fettkment. But the cour- 
age of thofe who fliould have remained fail- 
ing, they all returned to England. All the 
attempts to fettle this continent which v;ere 
made by the Dutch, French, and Englifh, 
from its difcovery to that time, a period of 
one hundred years, proved ineffe<5lual. T he 
Spaniards only, of all the European nations, 
have been fuccefsful. In 1603, Martin Pring 
and William Brown were this year fent by 
Sir Walter Raleigh, with two fmall veflels, 
to make difcoveries in North Virginia. They 
came upon thccoaft, which was broken with 
a multitude of iflands, in lat. 43. 30. N. — 
They coaded fouthward to Cape Cod Bay : 
thence round the Cape into a commodious 
harbour, in lat. 41. 25. where they went a- 
lliore and tarried fcven weeks; during which 
they loaded oneof their veffels with faffafras, 
and returni^d to England. Bartholomew 
Gilbert, in a voyage to S. Virginia, in fearch 
of the third colony which had been left there 
by governor White in 1587, having touch- 
ed at feveral of the Well India iflands, land- 
ed near the Chef tpt-ake Bay, where, in afkir- 
miih with the Indians, he and four of his meu 



I 



were unfortunately flain. The reft, without 
any farther fearch for the colony, returned to 
England. France, being at this time in a 
(late of tranquilty, in confepuence of the e- 
di6l of Nantz in favour of the Procefl-ants, 
pafTcd by flenry IV. in 1598, and r( the 
peace with Philip king of Spain 'and Portu- 
gal, was induced to purfue her difcovericsin 
America. Accordingly tlie king Ggned a 
patent in favour of de Mons, in 1605, of all 
the country from the 40rh to the 46th de- 
grees of N. Lat. under the name of Acadia. 
Next year de Mons ranged the coafl from 
St. L.awrence to Cape Sabfe, and fo round 
to Cape Cod. In May 1605, George's ifl- 
and and Penticoad harbour were difcovered 
by captain George Weym.outh. In May he 
entered a large river in lat, 43. 20. (varia- 
tion 11^ 15'' weH:,) which Mr. Prince, in his 
chronology, fuppofcs mufl have been Saga- 
dahock ; but from the lat. it was more pro- 
bably the Pifcataqua. In fpring 16C6, 
James I. by parent, divided Virginia into 
two*co]onies. The fouthern included all 
lands between the 34th and 41ft degrees N. 
Lat. This was ftyled the firft colony, un- 
der the name of S. Virginia, and was granted 
to the London Company. The northern 
called the fecond colony, and known by the 
general name of N. Virginia, included all 
lands between the 38th and 45th degrees N. 



24 THE LIFE or 

lat. and was granted to the Plymouth Com-- 
pany. Each of thefe colonies had a council 
of thirteen nnen to govern them. To pre- 
vent difputes about territory, the colonies 
were prohibited from planting within one 
hundred miles of each other. Both the Lon- 
don and Plymouth companies enterprifed 
fettlements within the limits of their refpec- 
tive grants. Mr. Percy, brother of the liarl 
of Northumberland, in the fervice of ,the 
Lonrjon company, went over with a colony 
to Virginia, and difcovered Powhattan, nov/ 
James River. In the mean time the Ply- 
mouth company fent captain Henry Chal- 
lons, in a vcfTeJ of fifty five tons, to plant a 
colony in N. Virginia; but in hisvc^agehe 
was taken by a Spanifh fleet and carried in- 
to Spain. ]n 1607, the London company 
fent Chridopher Newport with three vefTels 
to S. Virginia. On the 26th April he en- 
tered Chfeapeake Bay, and landed, and foon 
after gave to the mod fouthern point tl^e 
name of Cape Henry, which it ftill retains, 
Having eledted Mr. Edward Vv^ngfield 
prefident for the year, they next day landed 
all their men, and begun a fettlement on 
James river, at a place which they call James 
Town, This is the firfl town that was fcttle- 
ed by the Englilh in North Ameiica. In 
June following captain Newport failed for 
England, leaving with the prefident one 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 2o 

hundred and four perfons. In Augufl:, died 
captain Bartholomew Gofnald, the firftpro- 
jedtorofthis fettlement, and one of the coun- 
cil. The following winter Jamestown was 
burnt. During this time the Plymouth 
company fitted out two fnips underthe com- 
mand of admiral Rawley Gilbert. They 
failed for N. Virginia on the 31ft of May, 
with one hundred planters, and capt. George 
Popham for their prefident. They arrived 
in Auguft, and fettled about 9 or 10 leagues 
S. of the mouth of Sagadahock riyer. A 
great part of the colony, difheartened by the 
feverity of the v^inter, returned to England 
in December, leaving their prefident with 
only 45 men. In the fall of this year, the 
famous Mr. Robinfon, with part of his con- 
gregation, who aftcrv/ards fettled Plymouth, 
in New-England, removed from the N. of 
England, to Holland, to avoid perfecution, 
and enjoy purity of worfhip and liberty of 
confcience. [n the fame year a fmall com- 
pany of merchants at Dieppe and StMalo's 
founded Quebec. In 1608, the Sagadahock 
colony fuffered incredible hardfhips. after 
the departure of their friends in December. 
In the depth of winter, which was extreme- 
ly cold, their ilorehoufe caught fire, and was 
confumed with mod of their provifions and 
lodgings. 1 heir misfortunes were increaf- 
cd,foon after, by the death of their prefident, 
C 



26 THE LIFE OF 

Rawley Gilbert was appointed to Succeed 
him. Lord chief juftice Popham made e- 
very exertion to keep this colony alive, by 
repeatedly fending thenn fupplies. But his 
death which happened this year, together 
with Gilbert's being called to England to 
fettle his affairs, broke up the colony, and 
they all returned with him to England. — 
The unfavourable reports which thcfe firfl 
adventurers propagated refpedting the coun- 
try, prevented any further attempts to fettle 
N. Virginia for feveral years after. 

CHAPTER VII. 

JVelson's Voyage \ 608.. ..Smli/fs \ 609..,. NeiDport.,.,- 
Lord De la War appointed general... .Gates^ NenV' 
port end Somers jails from Falmouth. ...Lord De 
la War's patent \%\0... .Virginia settled. ...Long 
island and Hudson river discovered by Henry Hud- 
son \ 609. ...New-Tork settled 1 6 1 4....ilir. Robin- 
son's congregation settles at Flymouth 1620..,. 
NenV'Hanipshire settled \ 62 \.... Neiv-Sivedeland- 
stream settled ] 627 ....Salem settled 1628. ...Lor J 
Baltimore settles Maryland 1633.,. .Connecticut 
settled.. ..Rhode-island settled.... Nevj- Jersey and 
Carolina settled 1669. 

In 1608, the London Company fent capt. 
Nelfon, with two fhips and one hundred and 
twenty pcrfons, to Jamestown ; and in 1C09 
captain Smith, afterwards prefident, arrived 
en th«e coa[> of S. Virginia, and by failing up 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 27 

a number of rivers, difcovered the interior 
country. In Septenciber, captain Newport 
arrived with feventy perfons, which increaf- 
ed the colony to 200 fouls. The council 
for S. Virginia having refigned their old 
commiffions, obtained a new one 5 in confe- 
quence of which they appointed lord De la 
War, general of the colony: sir Thomas 
Gates, his lieutenant ; sir George Somers, 
admiral ; sir Thomas Dale, high marfhal -, 
sir Ferdinand Wainman, general of the 
horfe, and captain Newport, vice-admiral. 
In June, sir T. Gates, admiral Newport, 
and sir George Somers, with feven fliips, 
having five hundred fouls on board, failed 
from Falmouth for S. Virginia. In crofTing 
the Bahama Gulph, on the 24th July, the 
fleet was overtaken by a violent dorm, and 
feperated. Four days after, sir George 
Somers ran his veflel afhore on one of the 
Bermuda Iflands, which from this circum- 
ilance have been called the Somer lOands. 
The people on board one hundred and hfty 
in number, all got fafe on fhore, and there 
remained until the following; Mav. The 
remainder of the fleet arrived at Virginia in 
Auguft. The colony was now increafed to 
five hundred men. When captain Smithy 
then prefident, meeting with oppofition from 
thofe who had lately arrived, left the colony 
and returned to England. Francis Weft^ 



S8 THE LIFE OF 

his fuccefibr in office, foon followed him, and 
George Percy was eleded prefident. In 
1610 the S. Virginia or London company 
gave a patent to lord De la War, conflitut- 
inghim governor and captain general of S. 
Yirginiu. He foon after embarked for A- 
merica with captain Argal and one hundred 
and fifty men in three iliips. The unfortu- 
nate people, who, the year before, had been 
ihipwrecked on the Bermuda Iflands, had 
employed themfelves during the winter and 
fpring, under thediredion of Thomas Gates, 
sir George Somers, and admiral Newportj 
in building a Qoop to tranfporc themfelves 
to the continent. They embarked for Vir- 
ginia on the 10th of May, with about one 
hundred and fifty perPjns on board, leaving 
two nrien behind whochofe to (lay, and land- 
ed at Jamestown, on the 23d of the fame 
month. Finding the colony, which at the 
time of captain Smith's departure, confided 
of five hundred, now reduced to fixty, and 
thole few in a diftreffed and wretched fitua- 
tion, they refolved to return to England ; 
and on the 7th June, the whole colony broke 
up the fettlement, and failed down the river 
on their vi^ay to their native country. For- 
tunately, lord De la War, who had em- 
barked for Jamestown the March before, 
met them the day after they failed, and per- 
fuaded them to return with him tojames* 



r 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 29 



t6wn, where they arrived and landed on 
the 10th of June, — The government of 
right devolved upon lord De la Wan— 
From this time we may date the effectual 
fettlement of Virginia. As early as the 
year 1608, or 1609, Henry Hudfon, an 
EngliQiman, under a commifTion from king 
James I. difcovered Long-Ifland, New- 
York, and the river which bears his name, 
and afterwards fold the country, or rather 
his right, to the Dutch. They, however, 
contended that Hudfon was fent out by the 
Eafl India Company in 1609, to difcover 
a paffage to China ; and that having firfl: 
diicovercd Delawar Bay, he came and pe- 
netrated Hudfon's river, as far as lat, 43. 
N. It is faid, however, that there was a 
fale, and that the Englifh objected to it, 
though for fome time they neglected to op- 
pofe the Dutch fettlement of the country. 
In 1610, Hudfon fiikd again to this coun- 
try, then called by the Dutch New-Nether- 
lands, and four years after, the dates gene- 
ral granted a patent to sundry merchants 
for an exclufive trade on the North rivtr, 
who, in 1614, built a fort on the W. fide 
near Albany. From this time v/e may date 
the fet lement of New-Yoik. Conception 
Bay, on the ifland of Newfoundland, was 
fettled in 1610, by abour 40 planters, un- 
der governor John Guy, to whom king 

C2 



30 THE LIFE OF 

James had given a patent of incorporation. 
Champlain, a Frenchnian, had begun a 
fettlement at Quebec, 1608. Between 
1614 and 1620, feveral attempts were 
made by the Plymouth company to fettle 
New-England, but, from various caufes, 
they were all rendered ineffectual. During 
this time, however, an advantageous trade 
was carried on with the natives. In the 
year 1620, a part of Mr. Robinfon's con- 
gregation came over and fettled at Ply- 
mouth. At this time coinmenced the fet- 
tlement of New-England. In 1621, capt. 
John Mafon obtained of the Plymouth 
council a grant of a part of the prefent 
Hate of New-Hampfhire. Two years after, 
under the authority of this grant, a fmall 
colony fettled near the mouth of Pifquata- 
qua river. From this period we may date 
the fettlement of New-Hampfhire. In 1627, 
a colony of Swedes and Fins came over and 
landed at Cape Flenlopen, to the Falls of 
Delawaron both fides the river, which they 
called New-^'vv^edeland Stream. On this 
rivcT they built feveral forts, and made fet- 
tlem.ents. On the lOth March, 1628, the 
council (or New-Eigland fold to sir FItnry 
Rofwell, and 5 others, a large tract of land 
lying round Mafllichufetts bay. In June 
fcilowing, capr John tjjidicor, with his 
wife and company, came over and fettled 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 31 

at Naumkeag, now called Salem. This 
was the firft Englifh fettlement in Mafla- 
chufetts bay. Plymouth, indeed, which 
is now included in the commonwealth of 
Maflachufetts, was fettled 8 years before, 
but at this time it was a feparate colony, 
under a diilinct government, and continued 
fo until the fecond charter of Maflachufl^tts 
was grantedby William and Mary in 1691 ; 
by which Plymouth, the province of Main 
and Sagadahock were annexed to MafTachu- 
fetts. In 1633, lord Baltimore, a Roman 
Catholic, applied for and obtained a grant 
of a tract of land upon Chefapeak bav, a- 
bout 140 miles long and 130 broad. Soon 
after in confequence of the rigour of the 
laws of England againllthe Roman catho- 
lics, lord Baltimore, with a number of his 
perfecuted brethren, came over and fettled 
in ir, and in honour of queen Henrietta 
Maria, they called it Maryland. » The first 
grant of Connecticut was made by Robert 
Earl of Warwick, prefident of the council 
of Plymouth, to lord Say and Seal, to 
lord Brook and others, in 1631. In con - 
feqrence of several fmaller grants made af- 
terwards ly the patentees ro paiticular per- 
fons, Mr. Fen wick made a fettlement at 
the mouth of Connecticut river, and called 
it Saybrook. r-ur years after, a number 
of people from MalTachusetts bay came and 



32 THE LIFE 01* 

began fettlements at Hartford, Wethers- 
field, and Windfor, on Connedlicut river. 
Thus commenced the fettlement of Con- 
ne6licut. Rhodc-Ifland was firft fettled in 
confequence of religious perfccution. Mr. 
Rosier Williams, who was among thofe 
who early came over to MafTachufetts, not 
agreeing with fomc of his brethren in fen- 
timent, was very vinjuftly banifhed the co- 
lony, and went with his adherents, and 
fettled at Providence in 1635. From this 
beginning arofe the (late of Rhode-Ifland. 
On the 20th of March 1664, Charles IL 
granted to the Duke of York what is now 
called New-Jerfey, then a part of a large 
tra^l of country by the name of New-Ne- 
therland. Some parts of New- Jerfey were 
fettled bv the Dutch as early as about 1615. 
In 1662, Charles IL granted to Edward 
Earl of Clarendon, and 7 others, ahnoil 
the whole territory of the three southern 
ilates, N. and S. Carolinas and Georgia. 
Two yeirs after he f?;rani:ed a fecond cha? ter, 
enlarging their boundaries ; but no efTcc- 
tual fettlement v^as made until 1669. 1 bus 
commenced the settlemt^nt of Carolina, 
which then included the whole territory be- 
tween the 29th .^nd S6 and half degrees N. 
latitud<% together with the Baha'T;a I lianas, 
lying between lat. 22, and 27. N. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 23 



CHAPTER VIIL 

Pennsylvania chartered to William Penn».:.,\729 

Carolina divided. ,*,Georgia settled Savannah 

,,,, Kentucky discovered, .t'^fermont^nt., Tennessee 
settled. 



X FIE charter of Pennfylvanla was grant- 
ed to William Pcnn^ on the 4ch of March 
1681. *The firft colony canne over next 
year, and fettled under the proprietor, 
William Penn, who acted as governor from. 
October 1682 to Auguft 1684. The pro- 
prietory government in Carolina was atten- 
ded with fo many inconveniences, and oc- 
cafioned fach violent dilTenfions among the 
settlers, that the Parliament of Great Bri- 
tain was induced to take the province un- 
der their immediate care. The proprietors, 
(except lord Granville,) accepted of S99, 
900 from the Crown for the property and 
jurifdicSlion. This agreement was ratified 
by a6l of Parliament, in 1729. A claufe 
in this ad referved to lord Granville his 
8th (hare of the property and arrears of 
quit rents, which continued' legally veiled 
in his family till the revolution in 1776* 
lord Granville's fhare made a part of the 
prefent (late of N. Carolina. About 1729^ 



34 THE LIFE OF 

the extenfive territory belonging to the pro- 
prietors, was divided into N. andS. Caro- 
iinas. They remained feparate royal go- 
vernments until they became independent 
Hates. For the relief of indigent people 
of Great Britain and Ireland, and for the 
fecurity of Carolina^ a project was formed 
for planting a colony between the rivers 
Savannah and Alatamaha. Accordingly, 
George II. ilTued letters patent, dated 9th 
June 1732, for carrying into execution the 
benevolent plan. In honour of the King, 
who greatly encouraged the plan, they cal- 
led the new province Georgia, and 21 truf- 
tees were appointed to condu6l the affairs 
relating to the fettlement of the province. 
In November following, 115 perfons, a- 
mong whom was general Oglethorpe, em- 
barked for Georgia, and landed at Yama- 
craw. In exploring the country, they found 
an elevated plealant fpot of ground on the 
back of a navigable river, upon which they 
marked out a town, and, from the Indian 
name of the river v^^hich paffed by it, cal- 
led it Savannah. From this period we may 
date the fettlement of Georgia. Kentucky 
was firfl difcovered by James Macbride, 
and fome others in 1754. Col. Daniel Boon 
explored it in 1769. Four years after he 
and his family, with 5 other families, who 
were joined by 40 men from Powle's vallevj 



GEORCE WASHINGTON. SS 

began the fettlement of Kentucky, which 
is now a very flounfhing independent flate. 
The tradl of country called Vernnont, be- 
fore the late war, was claimed both by 
New-York and New-Hampfliire. When 
hoftilities commenced between Great Bri- 
tain and her colonies, the inhabitants con- 
fidering themfclves in a (late of nature, and 
not within any legal jurifdidtion, alTociated 
and formed for thcmfelves a conftitution of 
civil government. Under this conftitution, 
they continued to exercife all the powers of 
an independent ftate, before their a6ljal 
admiflion into the Union, March 4th 1791. 
The country nov^ called Tenneflee was in- 
cluded in the fecond charter granted by 
King Charles II. to the proprietors of Ca- 
rolina, and in a fubfequent divifion it be- 
longed to N. Carolina. The firft fettlci- 
ments commenced here in 1765, but itsen- 
.creafe in population was flow till after the 
peace in 1783, when the military lands be- 
ing located in that country .induced many 
officers and foldiers to repair thither for the 
iake of fecuring their lands -, iuch as did 
not choofe to go, fold their warrants to thofe 
v/ho did, and thus TennelTee was in a 
fhort time inhabited by vaft numbers from, 
.every psrt of the union. 



3^ THE LIFE OF 



CHAPTER IX. 

America discovered..,. Extent,„.Climate„»»Air.„Soil 
»**. Product ions,.,, Division, 



A 



MERICA, (so named from Americus 
Vefpucius the pretended difcoverer,) one of 
the four quarters or grand divifion of the 
globe, is allowed to be the largeft of the 
whole, and from its difcovery, frequently 
denominated the New fVcrld, It is wafh- 
ed by the two great oceans ; and is bounded 
jQn the E. by the Atlantic, which divides it 
from Europe andAfrica ; and on the W. by 
the Pacific, which feperatcs it from Afia. 
Tt extends fiom Cape Horn, its mod fouth- 
erly extremity, in lar. 56, S. to the North 
Pole; and fpreads between the 40rh de- 
gree E. and the 100th W. Ion. from Phil- 
adelphia. It is nearly 10,000 miles in length 
from North to South. Its average breadth, 
from E. to W, is about 14 or 1500 miles i 
and at its broadefl part it is about 3690 
miles. It is faid to contain upwaids of 14, 
000,000 fquare miles, An America lies in 
both hemifpheres, it poFeiTes all the varie- 
ties of foil, climate, raid produdions, which 
the earth affords. It flretchcs through all 
the five zones, and has two fummiers, as well 
as two winters in the year. The moH re- 



SEeRGE WASHINGTON. 37 

markable difference between the New and 
Old World, is the general predominance of 
cold thronghout the extent of America, for 
which various caufes have been afllgned, by 
different writers. 

North America comprehends that large 
portion of the weftern world which is now 
poffeffed by the United States, the Bri- 
tifli and Spaniili colonies, and the original 
natives. It was difcovered at a period, when 
the arts and fciences had made very confide- 
rable progrefs in Europe. Many of the firfl 
adventurers were men of genius and learn- 
ing, and were careful to preferve authentic 
records of fuch of their proceedings as would 
be intereding to pofterity. Thefe records 
afford ample documents for American his- 
torians. Perhaps no people, tho' from dif- 
ferent nations, can trace the hiftory of their 
origin and progrefs with fo much precifion 
as the inhabitants of North America ; par- 
ticularly that part of them who inhabit the 
the territory of the United States. 

Previous to the year 1776, nearly all the 
continenttho' fettled by fo many countrys be- 
longed to Great Britian, whofe colonies af- 
tended fo far as to render it diflicult'to afcer- 
tain their precife boundaries. To the north- 
ward, ihey might have extended their claims 
quite to the pole itfelf ; nor did anv nation 
feem inclined to doubt their prctcnfi6as.~ 
D 



58 THE LIFE 0]? 

Froth that extremity, they had a territory' 
extending fouthward to Cape Florida, in the 
gulph ot Mexico, in IN. lat. 25, and confe- 
quently near 4G00 miles long in a dired line. 
And to the weflward their boundaries reach- 
ed to nations unknown even to the Indians 
of Canada. The revolution that has llnce 
taken place, by which part of thofe territo- 
ries have been juftly feparated from the Brit- 
ifli empire, together with its caufe and com«. 
pletion will fhow the chaiader of the Amer- 
ican Hero, andform the following chapters. 

CHAPTER X. 

Emigration of John Wasliington,,*. Birth of Georgs' 

fVashington Education, .,,,Death of Augustine 

Washington Mount Vernon Washington at" 

tempts to enter the Navy.,, Appointed adjutant gen^ 
eral,,,. Encroachments of tJie French.,,,, Appointed- 
colonel,,,, Defeat., ..Conduct censurable. 



H 



AVING, according to the plan laid 
down, given a brief account of the fettling, 
and fettlers of this great and growing em.pire, 
the theatre in which the great and good 
TVashington fo brilliantly appeared ; we fliall 
besrin with his birth and follow him throuo:h 
tlie drfFerent periods of his lite both as a fol- 
dier and ftatefm.an, and then give fome ac- 
count of his death. 

The illuftrious charad^er now under view, 
was the third son ofAguftine, (grandson 



ceor<;e WASI!INcTo^^. 3:9 

of John) Wafhingcon, who, together with 
leveral relatives, in the year 1756, emigrat- 
ed from the North of England to America^ 
and fettled in the colony of Virginia ; where 
by unrennittinginduftry theybecame.opglent 
and refpeclable, and gave their name to the 
parifli of Wafliington, in Weftmoreland 
county. George VVafhington, the hero of 
the following hiftory, w^as the fruit pf a fe- 
cond marriage, and was born in the fettle- 
ment of Chotank, fince called Bridges 
-Creeck, in the above-mentioned coi\nty, on 
the 22d of February, 1732. He received 
a private education j was initiated in the 
elements of religion, morality, and fcience, 
by a private tutors and, from the tenor of 
his adlions, it is manifeft, that uncommon 
pains were taken to cherifh the bed propen- 
fities of human nature in his heart. In the 
tenth year of his age he had the misfortune 
to loofe an excellent father, who died in 
1742, and the patrimonial eftate devolved 
to an elder brother. This young gendeman 
had been an officer in the colonial troops 
fent in the expedition againft: Carthagena. 
On his return he called the family manfioa 
Mount Vernon, in honour of the Britifti 
admiral of that name, and deilined his broth- 
er George to ferve in the navy. 

Accordingly, in his fifteenth year, our 
Lero was entered as a midfhipman on board 



40 THE LIFE OF 

a Britifli frigate, ftationed on the coaft of 
Virginia ; he prepared to embark with all 
thealacrity of youth, but his nautical career 
was flopped by the interpofition of nnaternal 
love. Ever obeident to an affectionate nno- 
ther, young Wafhington relinquiflied hisde- 
fire of going to fea : the energies of his 
irjind were to be exerted on a more ftable 
element. 

He remained at home during four fub- 
fequent years, employed in uleful and elegant 
iludies, with a pleafing alternation of bu- 
finefs-j and in th-e delightful fields and groves 
of Mount Vernon he gradually obtained a 
knowledge of agriculture. Rural avocations 
appear to have been congenial with his dif- 
pofrtion, even at this period of life; yet he 
afterwards convinced the world, that martial 
ardour often animates the bread of the huf- 
bandman. 

In the year 1751 he was appointed adju- 
tant general of the Virginia militia ; and in 
confequence of the death of his brother, the 
family manfion of Mount Vernon, together 
with a large eflate, came into his pofTefTion. 
At this time the cxtenfive boundaries, and 
increafing population of the colony, made it 
expedient to form the milita corps into three 
divifions, and Wafhington, in his twentieth 
year, was appointed major. He attended 
to his duty as an officer with exemplary pro*^ 



•GEORGE WASHINGTON. 41 

priety and vigilance ; was indefatigable in the 
difcipline of the troops j and generally belov- 
ed, both by the officers and privates, for his 
mildnefs and generofity. 

In the year 1753, the encrGachments of 
the French upon the weftern boundaries of 
the Britifh colonies excited a general alarm 
in Virginia, infomuch that Governor Din- 
widdie deputed Wafhington to afcertain the 
truth of thofe rumours : he was alfo empow- 
ered to enter into a treaty with the Indians, 
and remonftrate with the French on the in- 
juftice of their proceedings. After an ar- 
dous and dangerous journey, on his return, 
his report to the governer was publifhed, 
and evinced that he performed this honoura^- 
ble miffion (which others fhrunk from) with 
fuperlative prudence and zeal. 

The repeated inroads of the French and 
Indians on the frontiers of Virginia made it 
neceflfary to increafe the military eftablifh- 
ment ; and early in the fpring of 1754, a new 
regiment was raifed, of which ProfefTor Fry, 
of the college, was appointed colonel, and 
Wafhington, lieutenant- colonel. Mr. Fry 
died foon after the regiment was embodied, 
^nd was fuccecded by our hero, who paid un- 
remitting attention to the difcipline of this 
new corps. He eftablifhed magazines of 
;provifions and ammunition, and opened the 
wroads to the frontiers in order toj)rc-occupj 

rD2 



42 THE LIFE Of 

an important pofl at the conHuence of the 
Monongahela and Allegany rivers. His 
reginrient was to have been reinforced by a 
detachment of regulars from the fouthern 
colonies, and a corps of provincials from 
North Carolina and Maryland ; but, impell> 
cd by the urgency of the occafion, he pro- 
ceeded without the expeded fuccors in the 
Tnonthof May. When he afcended theLau- 
rel Hills, fifty miles diftant from the place 
jof deftination, his fcouts brought him intel- 
ligence, that the enemy were in pofiefTion of 
-the pofts, and foon afterwards his troops 
were attacked by a detachment of the 
,French, and after a very fevere conflid met 
-with a partial defeat. 

By feme the conduct of Wafnington on 
this occafion was cenfurable, only becaufeit 
was thought he ought to have waited for 
the necccflary reinforcements, a jun6lion 
with whom would probably have crowned 
this enterprife with fuceefs. His inexperi- 
ence however, at the time and the a61:ive 
ardour of a youthful mind, .may afford fome 
palliation of his mlflake ; but rafhnefs in this 
inRancc was fo different from his fnbfeqent 
-prudence, that probably this inafpicious 
•commencement of his military career was 
the origin of the circumfpe6lion and vigi- 
lance which afterwards marked his condu^l 
in a fucccf&ful deffnfiye waic 



t5«©R<rB WASHINGTON. 4S 



CHAPTER XI. 

■Braddock*s arrival in America*. ».Want of Waggons 
..,, Supplied by Benjamin Franklin.., JVashingioxL 
appointed aid-de-camp to general Braddock,...De' 
Jcatand death of general Braddock....lVasbingtou 
appointed to command a regiment o^tr oops..,. Col- 
onel Dunbar assumes the chief command. ...Wa^h^ 
ington appointed to command all the troops of the 
colony.. ^.Capture of fort du ^esne .,**His resigna* 
and marriage. 



I, 



•N" the fpring of 1754, the French hav* 
ing built feveral forts within the boundariee 
of the BritifhfettlementSjan army of veterans 
was fent from France to fupportthofe nnju{l« 
iiiable encroachments. In the following 
year, general Braddock was fent to Ame- 
rica, at the head of two veteran regiments 
f/om Ireland, to reduce the forts on che Ohio. 
On his arrival, he was joined by the in- 
dependent and provincial corps of America j 
but when the army was ready to march, the 
-want of waggons for the conveyance of (lores 
had almod proved an infurmounrable ob- 
ftacle to the expedicion. In this eme/gency, 
a patriotic American flapped forwaid, ind 
removed the difficulty ; this was rhecelebrat- 
^ed Benjamin Franklin, whofe extraordinary 
-:alents had already conuibuted to the diftu- 



4A ♦HS XIFE 0# 

fion of knowledge and happinefs. This be<. 
nign philofopher exerted his influence fo ef- 
fectually with his countrymen, that in a (hort 
time he collected one hundred and fifty wag- 
gons, which proved an ample fupply for the 
army. 

As, in confcquence of a military regula- 
tion, made in England, "no officer who did 
not derive his commiffion from the king, 
could command one who did," Walhington 
refigned ; but, after a very Ihort retirement 
from the buftle of war, in the fpring of 1755, 
emulous to defend his country with diftin- 
guifhed zeal, voluntarily ferved under gene 
Braddock,as an extra aid-de-camp. With 
him that gen. marched againft fort du Ques- 
ne but foon after crolTed the river Mononga- 
hela, the van divifion of his army was attack- 
ed by an ambufcade of French and Indians, 
^nd totally defeated. The thicknefs of the 
woods prevented both the European and 
provincial troops from being able to defend 
ihemfelves with effed ; they could neither 
keep their ranks nor charge the enemy with 
the bayonet, while the Indians, who were 
expert at bufh- fighting, and were widely fcat- 
tered, fired on them from behind the trees, 
where they v/ere concealed, and took a fatal 
aim. Wafnington had cautioned general 
Braddock in vain ; his ardent defire of con- 
^gucfl made him deaf to the voice of pru- 



GEORGE WA,^ KING TON* 4S 

dence ; he faw his error when too late, and 
bravely periflied in his endeavours to fave 
the divifion from deilrudion. The gallant 
but unfortunate general had four horfes fhot 
under him, before he fell, and almoft every 
officer whofe duty obliged him to be on 
horseback, was either killed or wounded^ 
except Wafhington, Amid this carnage, 
the prefence of mind and abilities of our hero 
were confpicuous -, he raUied the troops, 
and, at the head of a corps of grenadiers, 
covered the retreat of the divifion, and fe- 
cured their paiTage over the ford of Monon- 
gahela. Anxious for the prefervation of the 
army, and unmindful of the fatigues he had 
undergone, during a fultry day in July, in 
which he had fcarcely a moment of refl, he 
hallened to concert meafures with colonel 
Dunbar, who commanded the rear divifion, 
which had not been engaged. Neither the 
wiidernefs through which he was obliged to 
pafs, the innumerable dangers that furround- 
ed him in his progrefs, nor his exhaullcd 
ftate, could prevent him from purfuing the 
line of his duty. He travelled during the 
night, accompained by two guides, and 
reached the Britifh camp in lafety. Thus 
his perfeverance and wifdom faved the refi- 
due of the troops. Colonel Dunbar now 
aflumed the chief command, and with con- 
Xiderable difficulty e6e6^cd a retreat;, but was 



Mt THE LIFE OF 

obliged to deftroy his baggage, to prevent k 
from falling into the hands of the enemy.. 
WajQiingcon received the mod flattering 
marks of public approbation but his beft 
reward was i the confcioufnefs of his own 
-intregrity. 

Soon after this tranfadion, the regulation 
of rank, which had judly been confidered as 
a grievance by the colonial officers, vvas 
changed, in confequence of a fpirited re- 
monftrance of Wafhington ; and the gov- 
ernor of Virginia rewarded the fervices of 
this brave officer, by appointing him to the 
^command of all the troops of the colony. 
The natural energy of his mind was now 
called into adion ; and his thoughts were 
continually employed in forming new plans 
for the protection of th^ frontiers. 

In the year 1758, Wafliington command- 
cd the van brigade of the army under gen. 
Forbes, and diftinguillied himfclf by the cap- 
ture of fort du Quefne, During this fuc~ 
cefsful campaign, he acquired a perfed 
knowledge of tadics. His frequent fkir- 
mifhes with the French and Indians, in the 
.woody regions along the frontiers, taught 
him vigilance and circumfpection.and roufed 
ihu fpirit of enterprife, which is ever ready 
to feize tlie crifis that leads to victory. The 
* troops under h:s command were gradually 
, inured in th^t moil difficult kind of warfare. 



called bufh-fighting, while theaflivity of the 
French, and ferocity of the Indians, wtre 
overcome by his fupcrior valour. Alter the 
enemy had been deftatcd in levtral battles, 
and compelied to retreat far beyond the 
colonial boundaries, general Forbes left a 
fufHcient garrifon in the diftertnt forts which^ 
he had captured along the banks of the Ohio, 
and returned with the army into winter 
quarters. 

In the cburfe of this decifive campaign, 
which reltored the tranquility and fccuiiiy 
of the middle colonies, Wafl ington had 
fufPered many hardfliips v\hich imparled his 
health. He was affiiiAed with an inveterate 
pulmonary complaint, and extrtmely dtbil- 
iated, infomuch that, in the fpring of 1759^ 
he refigned his commifilon, and retired to 
Moutn Vernon. 1 he Virginia line expreff- 
ed their high fense of his merit, by an 
affectionate addrefs on this occaficn ; and his 
anfwer was marked with that modefly and 
magnamity> which were the moft prominent 
traits of his mind. 

By a due attention to regimen, in the falu'- 
brious bowers of Mount Vernon, he gradu- 
ally recovered from his indifpofition. But 
as during the tedious period of his con- 
V'alfcence, the Britifli arms had been vicflor- 
ous, his country had no further occafion for 
yht exertion of his military talents. In ibe 



4f6 *H« tirs OF 

-y^ar 1761, love invaded his retirement.-** 
The objedt of his choice was an aimable 
■young widow, whofe maiden name was Dan* 
dridge. She was defcended from a reputable 
family, and two of her brothers were offi- 
cers in the Britifh navy. This lady was the 
widow of colonel Cuftis, who had left her 
fole executrix to his extenfive pofTeflions, 
and guardian to his two children. The un- 
ion of Wafbington with this accompliflied 
woman* was produ6Vive of their mutual fe- 
licity ; and as he incefTantly purfued agricul- 
tural improvements, his tafte embellifhed 
and enriched the fertile fields around Mount 
Vernon. Meanwhile he was appointed a 
magiftrate, a member of the afTembly of the 
(late, and a judge ofthe court. Thefe hon- 
curable avocations kept the powers of his 
mind in a (late of a6livity; he attended to 
his civil duties with exemplary propriety -, 
and gave a convincing proof, that the fim- 
plicicy ofthe farmer is homogeneal with the 
more dignified views of the fenator. 

The moment having approached, in 
which Wafhington was to relinquifh thofe 
honourable civil avocations, and one ofthe 
mod remarkable events recorded in hiflory 
obliged him to 26I a confpicuous part on the 
great theatre ofthe world. 

*Mrs. Wan^ngton was born in the year 173^ 
SHe died in 1802^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 49 



CHAPTER XII. 

Re'oolution of America., .^Peace of Par is, *,. Situation 
of the Colonies,,, .National Debt., ..Duties to be 
paid in Species,,.. Remonstrances. .,,Stamp Act,,,» 
Reason given,.,. Arrival at Boston.,,. Folly ofEng* 
land..,, Treaty Burnt, .„Sale of British Goods pre- 
rented,. ..Statnp Act repealed,. ,,Franklin examined 
„.. Authority of the mother Country declared,,,, 
Rockingham ministry. ...Ferment throughout the 
Continent., ..Disputes betvjeen the people and 
governor,,,, Tumult at Boston, 

JL HE American revolution originated in 
. the errors and opprelTions of the Britiili 
' governmentj which was juftly oppofed by 
the joint exertions of a number of public- 
- fpirited men among the colonifls, who, in- 
cited their countrymen to redd in Parlia- 
ment taxation widiout reprefentaticn. A 
. more remote and obfcure caufe, however^ 
contributed to rear the edifice of this new re- 
public, in order to trace this fecret fpring 
of action to its fource, it will be neccHary to 
■^take a curfory retrofpedive view of thecolo- 
nifation, improvement, and flate of North- 
..^Amcrica, previous to the commencement 
i of hoftilities with Great-Britain. 
I The mother country, in planting her 
! colonies in North-America, had endowed 
them with every privilege enjoyed by her 
E 



50 THE LIFE OF 

fubjc6ls at home. She left them at full 
liberty to govern themfelves by whatever 
laws the wifdom of their own provincial 
afTtmblies might think expedient, and em- 
powered them to piirfue their refpedlive in- 
terefls, but claimed the exclufive benefit of 
their trade, and their allegiance to the fame 
fovereign. 

The Americans, on the other hand, cher- 
ifn the mod tender veneration for their 
mother country; the name of an Englifli- 
man gave them an idea of every thing that 
was great and eftimabie in human nature, 
and they confidered the reft of mankind in- 
ferior, compared with the people from whom 
they were defcended. The colonifls had 
often experienced the protedion of Eritons, 
and witneffed their valour with admiration ; 
as the conteft with France had been begun 
on their account, they confidered them- 
felves bound to afTift their protectors with 
zeal and fidelity. 

By a fucceiTion of the moft brilliant vicflc- 
ries by ka and land, Great Britain efFedu- 
ally fubdued the united powers of France 
and Spain, and acquired pofiellion of a vaft 
extent of territory in both the Indies. The 
peace of Paris in 1763, termiinated a war 
which exalted Great Britain to the zrnith 
of military glory; by this treaty (he re- 
mained fcle miflrtfs of North-America; and 



GEORG£ WASHINGTON. 51 

her colonies were relieved from the fears of 
their ambitious French neighbours, as well 
as of the neighbouring Indian tribes. 

Such was the ftate of the Britifh colonies 
at the conclufion of a war, in which they 
had been more than conquerors. Indeed, 
the cefljon of Canada had placed them in a 
fiate ofperfed fecurity from the French ; 
and the Indians were too contemptible an 
enemy to excite much apprehenQon. 

The colonies had forages been accuftom^ 
cd to look to the mother country for aid 
againft the French, from a confcioufnefs of 
their inability to contend alone againft that 
powerful nation. Proteflion on the one 
fide naturally implies obedience on the 
other; and her colonies continued to view 
Great Britain with an eye of fiiial reverence, 
while the menaces of an amibitious neigh- 
bour kept them in awe. But when the 
cefTDn of the French territory in America 
tothi Britifh crown removed a formidable 
and ambitious rival from the v/eftern hem.- 
ifphere, the colonics began to view their 
firuation in another light, and to cherifh 
ideas of their future greatnefs. 

The national debt of Great Britain had 
been much increafed by the late war, a 
multitude of new taxes were levied at home, 
and as the quarrel originated on account of 
the colonies, and they derived the principal 



52 THE LIFE OF 

advantages from the peace, it was thought 
equitable that they Ihould contributt to the 
common exigencies. 

In March 1764> a bill was pafTed by 
"which heavy duties were laid on goods im- 
ported by the Americans, from fuch Weft- 
India iflands as did not belong to Great 
Britain, at the fame tim.e that thefe duties 
were to be paid into the exchequer in fpe^ 
cies; and in the fame feffion, another bill 
was framed to reftrain the curr-ency of pa- 
per money in the colonies themfelves. 
Thefe acls coming fo clofe upon each other 
threw the whole continent into the utmofl 
ferment, Remonftrances v^ere made to the 
miniftry, and every argument ufcd, which 
either reafon or ingenuity could fuggeft : 
■but without efte61:. Their reafoning, how- 
ever, convinced a great number of people 
in Great Britain, and thus the American 
caufe began even there to be conHdered as 
the caufe of liberty. 

The Americans finding all argumentii 
vain, at lad united in an agreement to im- 
port no more of the manufadures of Great 
Britain, but to encourage to the utmoil: of 
their power, every thing of that kind a- 
mongfb themfelves. Thus the Britilh man- 
ufadlures alfo became a party againft the 
miniftry and did not fail to exprefs their re- 
fentment in the flrongeft terms : but the 



8E0RGE WASHINGTON. 53 

miniftry were not fo eafily daunted, and 
therefore proceeded to the lad ftep of their 
intended plan, which was to lay on ftamp 
duties throughout the continent. Previous 
to this, however, feveral regulations were 
paflfed in favour of the connmerce of the 
colonies; but they had now iaibibed fuch 
unfavourable fentiments of the Britifh nnin- 
iftry, that they paid very little regard to any 
thing pretended to be done in their favour : 
or if thcfe adls made any favourable im- 
prefTion, it was quickly obliterated, the 
hews of the Stamp Ad, which by laying a 
duty on all marked paper at the fame time 
forJDadc the ufe of any other, in public writ- 
ings, whether judicial or extrajudicial. 

The reafon given for this a6b fo exceed- 
ingly obnoxious was, that afum might be 
raifed fufficient for the defence of the colo- 
nies againfl: a foreign enemy ; but this pre- 
tence was fo far from giving any fatisfac^ion 
to the Americans, that it excited their in- 
dignation to the utmoft degree. They juft- 
ly alTerted that they were abundantly able to 
defend themfelves againil any foreign ene- 
my, and denied that the Britiili parliament 
had any right to tax them without repre- 
fentation. 

The Britifh miniftry, too confident of 
the authority and power of this country, de- 
termined to carry on matters with a high 



54 THE LIFE Oi 

liand, to terrify the colonifts into an implicit 
fubjedion, or, if that would not do, to com- 
pel them to it by force. The (lamp a£V, 
after a violent oppofition in parliament, was 
pafled, and its reception in America was 
fuch as might have been expeded. The 
news, and the ad itfelf,firfl: arrived at Boftor, 
.where the bells v/ere muffled and rung a 
funeral peaL The ad was firft hawked a- 
bout the flreets with a Death's head affixed 
to it, and ftyled th^ " Folly of England and 
the Ruin of America i** and afterwards pub- 
licly burnt by the enraged populace : The 
llamps themfelves were feized and defbroy- 
ed, unlefs brought by men of war, or kept 
in fortified places. 

It was now found abfolutely necefTary 
either to yield to the Americans, by repeal- 
ing the obnoxious flatutes, or to enforce 
them by. arms. The ferment had diffufed 
itfelf univerfaily throughout the colonies. 
Virginia firft, and after that all the refl of 
the provinces, declared againft the right of 
Britain to lay on taxes in America -, and 
that every attem^pt to vefl others with this 
power befides the ki^ig, or the governor of 
the province -and his general affembly, was 
illegal, unconilitutional, and unjufl. Non- 
importation agreements were every where 
entered int#; and it was refolved to pre- 
sent the fale of any more Britifli ^oods after 



•GEaRGE WASKIN^JTON. 55 

the prefent year. American manufa6lures, 
though dearer, as well as inferior in quality 
to the Biitiili, were univerfally preferred. 
Such a general and alarming confederacy 
determined the mini dry to repeal fome of 
the moft obnoxious (latutes. 

The (lamp a6l was therefore repealed, to 
the univerfal joy of the 4i"nericans, and-in- 
QQcd to the general fatisfa6Vion of the Eng- 
lilh, whofc manufa6lures had begun to fuf- 
fer very fevereiy in confequence of the A- 
merican aflbciation againft them. The 
difputes on the fubjed without doors, how- 
ever, were by no means filenced, but each 
party continued to argue the cafe as violent- 
ly as ever. The celebrated Dr. Benjamin 
Franklin was on this occafion, examined 
before the Houfe of Commons ; and his 
opinion was in fubftance as follows : 

'' That the tax in queftion was impradlica- 
ble and ruinous. The very attempt had fo 
far allienated the affedlion of the colonics, 
that they behaved in a lefs friendly manner 
towards the natives of England than before ; 
confidering the whole nation as confpiring 
•againft their liberty, and the parliament as 
Vv^illing rather to opprefs than fupport and 
afiift them, America, in fa6V, did not 
fland in any need of Britifh manufadlur^s, 
iiaving already begun to conftrudt fuch as 
imight be deemed abfolutely neceflary. and 



56 THK LIFE 0? 

that with much fuccefs, has left no doubt of 
their arriving in a fhort time at perfedlion. 
The elegancies of drefs had already been re- 
nounced for m an u failures of the American 
kind, though much inferior ^ and the bulk 
of the people, confiding of farmers, were 
fuch as could in no way be affefled by the 
want of Britifh commodities, as having eve- 
ry necefTary within themfelves. Materials 
of all kinds were to be had in plenty: the 
wool was fine ; flax grew in great abun- 
dance, and iron was every where to be met 
with." 

The Dodor alfo infifted. That " the A- 
mericans had been greatly mifreprefenttd 5 
that they had been traduced as void of 
gratitude and afFedion to their parent date ; 
than which nothing could be more contrary 
to truth. In the war of 1755, they had, at 
their own expence, raifed an army of 25,000 
men; and in that of 1739, they afTided the 
Britifh expeditions againfl: South America 
with feveral thoufand men, and had made 
many brave exertions againft the French in 
North America. It v^as faid that the war 
of 1755j had been undertaken in defence of 
the colonies ; but the truth was, that it 
originated from a conteft about the limits 
between Canada and Nova Scotia, and in 
defence of the Englilh rights to trade on the 
Ohio. The Americans, however, would 



GE0RG:E WASHINGTON. 57 

{1111 continue to ad: with their ufual fidelity ; 
and, were any war to break out in which 
they had no concern, would fhew them- 
felves as ready as ever to alTift the parent 
flate to the utmoft of their power, and would 
never fail to manifeft their readinefs in con- 
tributing to the emergencies of government, 
when called to dofo in a regular and con- 
flitutional manner." 

The miniftry were confcious, that in re. 
pealing this obnoxious acSt, they yielding to 
the Americans; and therefore to fupport, as 
they thought, the dignity of Great Britain, 
it wasjudged proper to publifh a declarato- 
ry bill, fetting forth the authority of the 
mother country' over her colonies, and her 
power to bind them by laws and flatutes in 
all cafes whatever. This muchdiminifhed 
the joy with which the repeal of the ftamp 
a^ was received in America. It was con- 
fidered as a proper reafon to enforce any 
claims equally prejudicial with the ftamp 
ad, which might hereafter be fee up ; a fpirit 
of jealouly pervaded the whole continent, 
and a ftrong party was formed, watchful on 
every occafion to guard the fuppofed en- 
croachments of the Britiili pc'»ver. 

It was not long before an occafion offered, 
in which the Americans manifelled a fpirit 
of abfolute independency ; and that, inllead 
of being bound by the Britifh legiflature in 



58 THE LIFE OF 

ali cafes, they v/ould not be controlled by it 
in the moft trivial affairs. The Rocking- 
ham nniniftry had pafTed an aft, providing 
the troops ftationed in different parts of the 
colonies with fuch accomnnodations as were 
necefTary for thena. The afTembly of New- 
York, however, took upon thena to alter 
the mode of execution prefcribed by the 
a6l of parliament, and to fubfbitnte one of 
their own This gave very great offence to 
the new miniflry, and rendered them, though 
compofed of thofe who had been a6livc a- 
gainfl the (lamp-bill> lefs favourable to the 
colonies than in all probability they would 
have otherwife been. An unlucky circum- 
fbance at the fame time occurred, which 
threw every thing once more into confufion. 
One of the new miniltry, Mr. Charles 
Tov/nOiend, having declared that he could 
find a way of taxing the Americans without 
giving them offence, was called upon to 
propofe his plan. This was by impofing a 
duty upon tea, paper, painters colours, and 
glafs imported into America. The undu- 
tiful behaviour of the New-York afTembly, 
and that of Bofton, which had proceeded in 
a fimilar manner, caufed this bill to meet 
with lefs oppofition than otherwife it would 
have done. As a puni fhment to the refrac- 
tory affemblies, the legiflative power was 
taken from thatof New^York until it fhould 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 59 

fully comply with the terms of the a6V. 
That of Boilon at laft fubmitted with re- 
ludlance. The bill for the new taxes was 
quicklv pafTcd, and fent to America in 
1768. ' 

A ferment much greater than that occa- 
fioned by ihe (lamp ad now took place 
throughout the continent. '1 he populace 
renewed their outrages, and thofe of fuperior 
flarion entered into regular combinations a- 
gainft it. Circular letters were fent from 
MalTuchufett's colony to all the rell, fetting 
forth the injuftice and impropriety of the be- 
haviour of the Britifh legiflature. Meetings 
wtre held in all the principal towns, in 
which it was propofed to lefTen the con- 
fumption of foreign manufadures, by giv- 
ing proper encouragement to their own. 
Continual difputes enfued betwixt the gov- 
ernors and general affemblies of their pro- 
vinces, which were much heightened by a 
letter from lord Shelburn to the governor 
of MalTachufetts, containing complaints of 
the people he governed. The affembly, 
exafperated to the highefl degree, charged 
their governor with having mifreprefented 
them to the court of Britain, required him 
to produce copies of the lettets he had fent; 
and, on his refufal, w'rote letters to the Eng- 
lirti miniftry, accufing him of mifreprefenta- 
tion and partiality, complaining at the fame 



60 THE LITE OF 

time moft grievoudy of the proceedings of 
parliament, as utterly fubverfive of the lib- 
erties of America, and the rights of Britilli 
fubjffts. 

The governor, at a lofs how to defend 
himfelf, prorogued the aflembly ; and, in 
his fpeech on the occafion, gave a loofe to 
his refentment, accufing the members of 
ambitious defigns, imcompatible with thofe 
of loyal fubjedls. To counteract the circu- 
lar letter of the province of Maffachufetts. 
lord Hilifborough, fecretary for the A me* 
rican department, fent another to the gov- 
ernors of the different colonies, reprobating 
the other as full of mifreprefentation, and 
tending to excite a rebellion againft the au- 
thority of the prefent Hate. 

Matters now haftened to a crifis. The 
governor had been ordered to proceed with 
vigour, and by no means to faew any difpc» 
fition to yield to the people as formerly. 
In particular, they were required to fefcind 
that refolution by which they had written 
the circular letter above mentioned ; and^ 
in cafe of a rcfufal, ic was told them that 
they v^ould be difiblved. As this letter had 
been framed by the refolutions of a former 
houfc, they defired, after a week's confulta- 
tion, that a recefs might be granted to con- 
fult with their conflituents ; but this being 
refufed, they came to a determination, 92 



GEORGE V/ASHINGTOrJ. 61 

againfl 17, to adhere to the refolution which 
produced the circular letter. At the fame 
time a letter was Tent to lord Hillfborough;, 
and a meflage to the governor, in juftifica-. 
tion of their proceeding. In both, they ex- 
preiled themfelves with fuch freedom as was 
by no means calculated to accord with the 
fentiments of thofe in power. They infill- 
ed that they had a right to commiunicate 
their fentiments to their fellow fubjedls up- 
on matters of fuch importance; complain- 
ed of the requifition to refcind the circular 
letter as unconftitutional and unjuft -, and 
particularly infilled, that they were repre- 
lented as harbouring feditious defigns, when 
they were doing nothing but what was law- 
ful and right. At the fame time, they con- 
demned the late ads of parliament as highly 
opprefllve, and fubverfive of liberty, and the 
whole was concluded by a lift of accufatioas 
againlT: their governor. 

Thefe proceedings were followed by a 
violent tumult at Bofton. A veflel belong- 
ing to a capital trader had been feized in 
confequence of his having negle6led lome 
of the new regulations; and being taken 
under the protedlion of a man of war at that 
time lying in the harbour, the populace, 
attacked the houfes of the commiflloners 
ofexcife, broke -their windows, dcdroyed 
the colleclor's boats, and 6blii?;ed the Cuf- 



^ lUZ LITE OF 

tom.Houfe officers to take refuge In Caftle 
Wiliiam> fituatcd at the entrance of the 
harbour. 

The governor now took the laft {lep in 
Ills power to put a ftop to the violent pro- 
ceedings of the airembly, by diflblving ic 
entirely ; hm this was of little momenta 
Their behaviour had been highly approved 
by the other colonies, who had written let- 
ters to them expreffive of their approbation. 
After the dilTolution of the aflembly, fre- 
quent meetings of the people v.'ere held in 
iJoftonj which ended in a remonfl ranee to 
the governor, to the fanae pui^pofe as fomc 
of the fornner ; but concluding with this ex- 
traordinary requeft, that he would take upon 
him to order the king's fnips out of the 
harbour. 



CHAPTER XII!. 

Ion-vent 1071 called h the people*, ...Arrival of troops, 
at Bosion....Scvffie between the troops and people 
....Disavoival of the British government. ...Hutch- 
inson's letters... .East India company send tea.... 
Tea destroyed. ...Message to Parliament from tJte 
King. ... Boston fned,... Parliament 3 conduct,. ..As- 
sembly dissolved.*, .Gen. Gage's arrival. 



W: 



HILE the difpofition of the people 
of BoP.on was in this flate of irritation, news- 
^^•rived that the agent for the colony had 



GEOUGE WASHINGTON. 6S 

iiGt been allowed to deliver their petitioi; 
to the king; it having been obje6led that 
the allembly without the governor was not 
fuilicient authority. This did not contri- 
bute to allay the ferment; and it was further 
augmented by the news that a great num- 
ber of troops had been ordered to repair to 
Boflon, to keep the inhabitants in awe. 

A dreadful alarm now took -place. The 
people called on the governor to convene a 
general aflembiy, in order to remove their 
fears of the military who they faid were to 
be afTembled to overthrow their liberties.^ 
-and force obedience to laws to which they 
were entirely averfe. The governor re- 
plied, that it was no longer in'fes power to 
call an afiembly ; having, in his lad in- 
flrudions from England, been -required to 
wait the king's orders. Being thus refufed, 
the people took upon themfelves tiie forma- 
tion of an afiembly, which they called a 
convention. The proceedings and refoiu« 
tions of this v^ere conformable to their 
former behaviour.; and circular letters were 
direded to all the towns in the province, 
acquainting them with the refolutions that 
had been taken in the capital, and exhort- 
ing them to proceed in the fame manner* 
The convention, however, thought proper 
to affure the governor of their pacific in» 
teationsj and renewed their requeft that ar 



64 THE LIFE OF 

MfCemhly might be called j but being refufed 
any audience, and threatened with being 
treated as rebels, they at laft thought proper 
TO diliblve of themfelves, and fent over to 
Britain a circumilantial account of their 
proceeding, with the reafon of their having 
affembled in the naanner already nnentioned. 

The expeded troops arrived on the very 
day on which the convention broke up, and 
had fome houfcs in the town fitted up for 
their reception. Their arrival had a con- 
fiderable influence on the people, and for 
fome time feemed to put a ftop to the dif- 
turbances; but the feeds ofdifcord had now 
taken fuch deep root, that it was impofiible 
to quench the flame. Indeed feveral cir- 
cumflances contributedgreatly to encreafe it. 

On the 5th of March 1770, a fcuffle hap- 
pened between fome foldiers and a party of 
the town's people. The inhabitants pour- 
ed in from all quarters to the afliftance of 
their fellow citizens; a violent tumult en- 
fued, during v;hich the military flred among 
the mob, killing and wounding feveral of 
them.. The whole province now rofe in 
arms, and the foldiers were obliged to retire 
to Caftle William to prevent their being 
cut in pieces. In other refpe(5ls the deter- 
minations ofthe Americans continued, if 
polfible, more firm' than ever, until at lafb 
government, decermined to act with vigour^ 



GEOliCE WASHINGTON. 6S 

ttud at the fame time, to behave v^ith as 
much condefccntion as pofiible, repealed all 
the duties lately laid on, that of tea alone ex- 
cepted. This was left on purpofe to main- 
tain the dignity-of the crown; and it was 
thought that it could not be produdive of 
any difcontent in America, as being an af- 
fair of very little moment, the produce of 
which was not expefted to exceed ^T.lGjOOO 
fterling, S 71,040. The oppofitions, how- 
ever, were (Irenuous in their endeavours to 
get this tax likewife abrogated ; infilling, 
that the Atnericans would confider it only 
as an inlet to others^ and that the repeal of all 
the refb without this, would anfwer no good 
purpofe. The event fhewed that their 
opinion was well founded. The Americans 
oppofed the tea-tax with the fame violence 
that they had done all the reft : and at laft, 
on the news that falarics had been fettled 
on the jufticcs of the fuperior court at Bof- 
ton, the governor was addreficd on the fub- 
jedl ', the meafure was condemned in the 
ftrongeft terms ; and a committee fele(5led 
out of the feveral diftridls of the colony ap- 
pointed to enquire into it. 

The new aflembly proceeded in the moft- 
formal manner to difavow the fupremacy 
of the Britivh legiflature ; accufed the par^ 
•liament of Britain of having violated thB 
natural rights of the Americans in a numlxjr 

W2 



0<d THE LIFE OF 

ofinAances. Copies of the tranfaftions of 
this afTembly were tranfmitted to every 
town in MafTachufetts exhorting the in- 
habi cants to roufc themfelves, and exert eve- 
ry nerve in oppofition to the iron hand of 
oppreflion, which was daily tearing the 
choiceft fruits from the fair tree of liberty. 
Thedifliirbances were alfo greatly heighten- 
ed by an accidental difcovery that Mr. 
Hutchinfon, governor of MafTachufetts, had 
written feveral confidential letters to people 
in England, complaining of the behaviour 
of the province, recommending vigorous 
meafures againft them, and, among other 
things, aiferting, that " there mufl be an a- 
bridgment of what is called Britifh liberty." 
Letters of this kind had fome how or other 
fallen into the hands of the agent for the 
colony at London. They weie immedi- 
ately tranfmitted to Boflon, where the affem- 
bly was fitting, by whom they were laid be- 
fore the governor, who was thus reduced to . 
a very mortifying fituation. Lofing every j 
idea of refpcfl for him as their governor, 
they inflantly difpatched a petition to the 
king, requefting him to remove the gover- 
nor and deputy-governor from their places ; 
but to this they not only received no favour- 
able anlwer, but the petition itfelf was de- 
clared groundlefs and fcandalous. 
Matters now became ripe for the utnaofl 






GEORGE WASHINGTON. 67 

extremities on the part of the Americans ; 
and chough the colonills had entered into 
a non-importation agreement againfl: tt-a as 
well as all other commodities from Biirain, 
it had neverrhelcOi found its way into A- 
merica, though in fmaller quantities than 
before. This was fenfibly felt by the Eafl 
India company, who had now agreed to 
pay a large fum annually to government ; 
in recompence for which compliance, and 
to make up their lofies in other refpedls 
they were empowered to export their tea 
from any duty payable in Britain ; and in 
confequence of this permifTion, feveral fhips 
freighted with tea were fent to America, and 
proper agents appointed for difpofing of it. 
The Americans now perceiving that the tax 
was thus likely to be enforced whether they 
would or not, determined to take every 
poflible method to prevent the tea from b^^- 
ing landed, as well knowing that it would 
be impofTible to hinder the fale fhould it 
once be brought on fhore. For this piirpofe 
the people alTembled in great numbers 
forcing thofe to whom the tea was confignd 
to refign their offices, and to promife lo- 
elmnly never to relume them ; and com- 
mittees were appointed to examine the ac- 
counts of the merchants, and make public 
tefts, declaring fuch as would not take them 
-enemies to their country. Nor was this bc« 



•63 THE LIFE OF 

■fiaviour confined to the colony of Maffachu- 
fetts, the reft of the provinces entered into 
the conteft with the fame warmth, and man- 
ifefted the fame refolution to oppofc the mo- 
ther conntiy. 

In the midft of this confufion three fliips 
laden with tea arrivt-d at Bofton -, but fo 
much were the captains alarmed at the dif- 
pofition which feemed to prevail among the 
people, that they offered, provided they 
could obtain the proper difcharges from the 
teacon(ignees, cuflom-houfe, and governor^ 
to return to Britain without landing their 
cargoes. The parties concerned, however, 
though they durO: not order the tea to be 
landed, refufed to grant the difcharges re- 
quired. The flaips, therefore, would have 
l^een obliged to remain in the harbour j but 
the people apprehenfive that if they re- 
mained there the tea would be landed in 
fmall quantities and difpofed ofinfpiteof 
every endeavouj' to prevent it, refolved to 
deftroy it at once. This refolution was ex- 
ecuted with cqnal fpeed and fecrecy. The 
very evening after the above-mentioned dif- 
charges had been refufed, a number of peo- 
ple dreffed like Mohawk Indians boarded 
the fhipsi' opened, and threw into the fea 
all the tea they had on board, to the amount 
of 342 chefts ; after which they retired 
■without making any further difturbanccj or 



GEORGE WASHIiSrCTON. 69 

doing any other damage. No tea was de- 
flroyed in other places, though the famefpir- 
ic was manifefted. At Philadelphia the pi- 
lots were enjoined not to conduct the veffels 
up the river ; and at New-York, though the 
o;overnor caufed fome tea to be landed under 

o 

the protedion of a man of war, he was o- 
bliged to deliver it up to the cuftody of the 
people, to prevent it being fold. 

The deftrudion of the tea at Bofton, 
which happened in December 1773, was the 
immediate prelude to the difaflers attending 
civil difcord. Government finding them- 
felves every where infulted and difpifed, re* 
folved to enforce their authority by all pof- 
lible means j and as Bofton had been the 
principal fcene of the riots and outrages, it 
was determined to punilli the town in an ex- 
emplary manner. Parliament was acquaint- 
ed by a meiTage from the king with the be- 
haviour of the town of Bofton, as well as of 
all the colonies, recommending at the fame 
time the moil: vigorous and fpiriced exertions 
to reduce them to obedience, and the parlia- 
ment in its addrefs promifed a ready com- 
pliance. It was propofed to lay a fine on 
the town of BoRon equal to the price of tea 
which had been deflroyed, and to fhut up its 
port by armed vefiels until the refradory 
fpirit of the inhabitants fhould be fubdued ; 
which it was thought mud quickly yield, as 



70 THE LIFE 01- 

a total flop would thus be put to their trade. 
The bill was llrongly oppofed on the fame 
grounds that the others had been ; and it 
was predifled, that inftead of having any 
tendency to reconcile or fubdue the Ameri- 
eans, it would infallibly exafperate them be- 
yond any poffibiiity of reconciliation. The 
petitions againft it, prcfented by the colo- 
ny's agent, pointed out the fame confe- 
quence in the ilrongefl: terms, and in the 
mofl: pofitive manner declared that the A- 
mericans never would fubmit to it , but fuch 
was the infatuation attending every rank and 
degree of men, that it never was imagined 
the Americans would dare to refift the parenc 
(late openly, but would in the end fnbmit 
implicitly to her commands. In this con- 
fidence a third bill was propofed for the im- 
partial adminiftration ofjuftice on fuch per- 
fons as might be employed in the fuppreffion 
of riots and tumults in the province of M af- 
fachufetts Bay. By this ad it was provided 
that fhould any perfons a6ring in that capa- 
city be indicled for murder, and not able to 
obtain a fair trial in the province, they might 
be fent by the governor to England, or fome 
other place, if necelTary, to be tried for the 
fuppofed crime. 

Thefe three bills having pafifed fo cafily, 
the miniftry propofed a fourth, relative to 
the government of Ca;iada 5 which, it was 



CE'ORGS V/ASHINGTON. 71 

faid. Had not yet been fettled on any proper 
plan. Bv this bill the extent of that province 
was greatly enlarged ; its affairs were put un- 
der the direiflion of a council in which Ro- 
man Catholics were to be admited ; the Ro- 
man Catholic clergy were fecured in their 
poffefTions and the ufual perquifites from 
thofe of their own proFeffion. The council 
above mentioned were to be appointed by 
the crown ; to be removeable at its pleafure; 
and to be invefted with every legiOative 
power 'es:ccpting that of trixation. 

No fooner were thefe laws made known 
in America, than they cemtnted the union of 
the colonies almoll beyond any pofubility of 
diiTolving it. The aifemblv of (VlalTachu- 
fett's Bay had palled a vote againd the judges 
accepting faianes from the crown, and put 
the queflion ; whether they would except 
them as ufua! from the general affembly ? 
Fv)ur anfwered in the affii marive ; but P^ter 
Oliver the chief jullice refuted. A petition 
againfthim, and an accufation> were brought 
before the governor; but the latter refufed 
the accufation, and declined to interfere in 
the matter; bur as they {lill iufified for what 
they called juftire againft Mr. Oliver, the 
governor thought proper to put an end to 
the matter by diffolving theaflembly. 

In this fupation of aftairs a new alarm was 
occafioned by the news of a port-bill. This 




72 tut LIFE OJF 

had been totaly unexpedled, and while this 
continued, the new governor general Gage, 
arrived from England, He had been chofen 
to this office on account of his being well ac- 
quainted in America, and generally agreea- 
ble to the people ; but human wifdom could 
not now point out a method by which the 
flame could be allayed. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Genera! Gage removes the assembly to SaUm.*.,nieet 
at Salem.,. .Declaratian dranvn u.),,.. Assembly dis^ 
solved. ..^Effects of the port bill among the colonies 
,... General Gage's proclamation. ...First Congress 
meet at Philadelphia, ...Names of members. 



X HE firfl: o^^cial ad of general Gage as 
governor was to remove the aflembly from 
Boflon to Salem, in confequence of the late 
adb. When this was intimated totheaffen - 
bly, they replied by requefling him to ap- 
point a day of public humiliation for depre- 
cating the wrath of heaven, but met with a 
refufal. When met at Salem, they pafTed a 
refolution, declaring the necefiity of a general 
congrefs compofed of delegates from all the 
provinces, in order to take the affairs of the 
colonies at large into confiderationj and five 
gentlemen, reniarkable for their oppoftion 
to the Britifh mealures, were chofento re 



GEORGE WASHI^^GTON, /.i 

prefent that of MafTachufett's Bay. They 
then proceeded with all expedition to drav 
up a declaration, containing a detail of the 
grievances they laboured under, and tliene- 
ceflity of exerting themfelves againd lawlefs 
power ; they fet forth the difregard fliown 
their petitions, and the attennpts of Great 
Britain to deftroy their ancient conftitution; 
and concluded with exhorting the inhabi- 
tants of the colony to obftrudl, by every me- 
thod in their power, fuch evil defigns, re- 
connmending at the fame time a total renun- 
ciation of every thing imported from Great 
Britain, as well as to give every poiTiblqjfen- 
couragement to the domeftic m a nu fade ties, 
by which the inhabitants might be prepared 
for the worft, untill a redrefs of grievances 
could be procured. 

Intelligence of this declaration was car- 
ried to the governor on the very day that ic 
was completed ; on'which he difiblved the 
affembly. This was followed by an addrefs 
from the inhabitants of Salem in favour of 
thofe of Bofton, and concluding with thefe 
remarkable words : *^ By fliutting up the 
port of BoRon, fome imagine that the courfe 
of trade mfght be turned hither, and to our 
benefit : but nature, in the formation of our 
harbour, forbids our becoming rivals in 
commerce with that convenient mart -, and 
'^re Ir otherwife, we mud be dead to every 
G 



74 THE LIFE OF 

idea ofjudice, loft to all feelings of humani- 
ky, could we indulge one thought of feizing 
on wealth, and raife our fortunes on the ru- 
in of our fuffering neighbours/' 

It has been fondly hoped by the minifleral 
party at honae, that the advantages which 
other towns of the colony might derive froni 
the annihiliation of the trade of Bofton, 
would make them readily acquifce in the 
meafure of fliutting up that port, and rather 
rejoice in it than otherwife ; but the words 
of the addrefs above mentioned feemed to 
preclude all hopes of this kind ; and fubfe- 
quent tranfaclions foon manifefled it to be 
totally vain. No fooner did notice arrive 
of the remaining bills paffed in the ftfilon 
of 1774, than the caufe of Bofton became the 
caufe of all the colonies. The port-bill had 
already occaiioncd violent comimotions 
throughout them all. It had been reprobat- 
ed in provincid meetings, and refiftance e- 
ven to the lafthad been rtcommendco againft 
fuch opprelfion. In Virginia, the firft of 
June, the day on which the port of Bollon 
was to be Ihutup, was held as a day of hu- 
miliation, and a public intercefl'ion in favour 
of America was enjorned. The ftyle of the 
prayer enjoined at this time was, that *' God 
would give the people one heart and one 
mind, firnaly to oppofe every invafion of the 
American rights," The Virginians, how - 



^^■i.- 

m. -' 



GEORGE WASHIXGTON. 7:^ 

ever did not content themfelvcs with ads of 
religion. They reconnmended in the flrong* 
eft manner a general congrefs of all the co- 
lonies, as fuliy perfuaded that an attempt to 
tax any colony in an arbitrary manner was 
in reality an attack upontiiem all, and muft 
ultimately end in the ruin of them all. 

The provinces of Ncv/- York and Penn- 
fylvania, hov/ever, were iefs fanguine than 
the reft, being fo clofely conneded in the 
way of trade with Great Britain, that the 
giving it up entirely appeared a matter of 
the moft ferious magnitude, and not to be 
thought of but after every other method had 
failed. The intellic^ence of the remaining; 
bills refpeding Bofton, however, fpread a 
frefn alarm throughout the continent, and 
fixed thofe who had feemed to be wavering. 
The propofal of giving up all commercial 
intercourfe with Britain was again propofed ; 
contributions for the inhabitants of Bofton^ 
were raifed in every quarter ; and they every 
day received addreftes commending them 
for the heroic courage with which they fuf- 
tained their calamity. 

The Boftonians on their part were not 
wanting it their endeavours to promote the 
general caufe. An agreement was framed^ 
which, in imitation of former times, they cal» 
led a Solemn Leasiue and Covenant. Bv 
this the fubfcribers moft religoufly bound 



76 TKE LIFE OF 

tiiemfelves to break off all communication 
with Britian after the expiration of the month 
of Auguil enfuing, until the obnoxious ads 
were repealed -, at the fame time they en- 
gaged neither to purchafe nor ufe any goods 
imported after that time, and to renounce 
ail connexions v.'ith thofe who did, or who 
refufed to fubfcribe to this covenant ; threat- 
ening to publifli the name of the refradlory, 
which at this time was a punifhment by no 
means to be difpiied. Agreements of a fim- 
ilar kind were almoft inftantaneoufly entered 
into throughout America. General Gage 
indeed attempted to countera6i: the covenant 
by a proclamation, wherein it was declared 
an illegal and traiterous combination, threat- 
ening v.'ith the pains of law fuch as fubfcribed 
or countenanced it. But matters were too 
fir gone for the proclamations to have any 
effedt. The Americans retorted the charge 
of illegality on his own proclamation, and 
infifled that the law allowed fubjecls to meet 
in ordt^r to confider of their grievances, and 
aflbciate for oppression. 

Preparations were now made for holding 
the general congrefs propofed. Philadel- 
phia, as being the centrical and moil" confid- 
crable town, was pitched upon for the place 
of its m.eeting. The delegates of Vv'hom ic 
was compofed were chofen by the reprefen- 
tativcs of each province;, and were in num* 



<JEORGE WASHING ION 



ter from two to eight for each colony, tho* 
no province had more than one vote. The 
fir(l congreis which met at Philadelphia^ in 
the beQ;inning of September 1774, confided 
of fifcy.fi ve delegates . viz. For the prov- 
ince of jN'ew-HampJhire2. Nathaniel Ful- 
son, John Sullivan. Masmchusetts 5. — 
John Adams, Samuel Adams, James Bov.^- 
doin, Thomas Culliing, Robert T. Paine, 
Rhode-Island 2. Stephen Hopkins, Sam« 
uel Ward. Connecticut 3. Silas Dean, Eli- 
phalet Dyer, Roger Sherman. New- York 7. 
John Alsop, James Duane, William Floyd^ 
John Jay, Philip Livingfton, Ifaac Low, 
Henry Wifncr. ISew Jersey 5. Stephen 
Crane, John Dehart, James Kinfey, Wm, 
Livingflon, Richard Smith. Pennsylvania 
S. Edward Biddle, John Dickinfon, Jofeph 
Galloway, Cliarles Humphreys, Thomas 
MifHine, John Morton, Samuel Rhodes, 
George Rofs. Delezvare 3. Thomas Mc. 
Kean, George Read, Cefar Rodney. Ma- 
ryland 5. Samuel Chafe, Robert Gold/bo- 
rough, Thomias Johnfon, William Paca^ 
Mathew Tilghman. Virginia 7. Richard 
Bland, Benjamin Harrifon, Patrick Henry, 
Richard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton^^ 
Peyton Randolph, GEORGE WASH- 
INGTON. North Carolina 3. Richard 
Cafwell, William Hooper, Joieph Hughes, 
South Carolina 5, Chriflopher Gadiden, 

CJ2 



'78 THE LIFE or 

Thomas Lynch, Henry MiddletOHj }dhi\ 
Rurltrdge, and Edward Rutiedge. 

The novelty and importance of this meet- 
ing excited an nniverfal attention ; and their 
tranfactions were fuch as could not but tend 
to render them refpec^able. 

Emmediately after their firfl: meeting in 
■Carperiters Hall, the firfb order of bufinefs 
was the choice of a Prefident, the choice was 
unanimously oftheHon. Peyton Randolph, 
of Virginia; who precided during that fitting. 

The firfl a6l of congrefs was an approba- 
tion of the condu6l of Mafiachufett's Bay, 
and an exhortation to continue in the fame 
fpiritwith which they had begun. Supplies 
for the fuffering inhabitants (whom indeed 
the operation of the port-bill had reduced to 
great diftrefs) were ftrongly recommended; 
and it was declared, that in cafe of attempts 
to force the obnoxious a6ls by arms, all A- 
inerica fnould join to afilfl the. town of Bos- 
ton ; and fhould the inhabitants be obliged, 
<luring the courfe of hoftilities, to remove 
further up the country, the lofles they might 
.fuftain fhould be repaired at the public 
expense. 

I hey next addrefied general Gage by let- 
ter ; in which, having ftat'-d the grievances 
Jtf the people of Mafiachufett's colony, they 
linformed jhim of the fixed and unalterable 
'/Itt^Gimiaation of all the other provinces m 



CEORGE WASHINGTON. 79 

fuppoit their brethern and to oppofe th€ 
Bntiih a6ls of ParliaTient ; that they them- 
felves were appointed to v/atch over the li- 
berties of America; and entreated hinn to de» 
fiCl from military operations, leil: fuch hoftili- 
ties might be brought on as would fruftate 
all hopes of reconciliation v/ith the parent 
ftate. 

The next ftep was to publilli a declaration 
of their rights. . This they fummed up in the 
rights belonging to Englifhmen ; and partic- 
ularly infiiled, that as their diftance rendered 
it impolTible for them to be reprefented in 
the Britiili parliament, their provincial af- 
semblies, with the governor appointed by tlie 
king, conftituted the only legiflative power 
within each province. They would, how- 
ever, confent to fuch a6ls of parliament as 
were evidently calculated merely for the reg- 
ulation of commerce, and fecuring to the 
parent ftate'^ the benefits of the American 
trade ; but would never allow that they could 
imipofe any tax on the colonies, for the pur- 
pofe of raifing a revenue, vv^ithout their con- 
sent. They proceeded to feprobate the in- 
tentions of each of the new adls of parlia- 
ment ', and infilled on all the rights they had 
enumerated as being unalienable, and what 
none could deprive them of. The Canada 
g61 they particularly pointed out as being ex- 
tremeJv inimical to the colonies, by whosr 



80 THE IIPE OF 

arndance it had bet-n conquered ; and they 
termed it '^-\n acl for edd'^liihing thr Ro- 
man Catholic Relie^ion in Canada, abolilli- 
ingthe equitable fyftem ofEnglifh laws, and 
eilahlifhing a tyranny there." Tnev further 
declared in favour of a non-innportation and 
a non confumption of Britifh goods until 
the adls were repealed by vvhich duties were 
impofcd upon tea, coffee, wine fugar, and 
molaffes, imported into America as well as 
the Boilon port a6l, and the three others paf- 
fed in the preceeding fefTion of parliament. 
The new regulations againft the importation 
& confumption of BritiOi commodities were 
then drawn up witli great folemnity ; and 
they concluded with returning the warmeit 
thanks to thofe members of parliament who 
had with fo much zeal, though without any 
fuccefs, oppofed the obnoxious acls of par- 
liament. 



CHAPTER XV, - 

D4:clardtion of rights. .Petition to the kin^.„,Dispv^ 
sition of the people***^Country ready to rise.,,* 
Determination, 

A HE imiportance of the following refolu- 
tions, as well as the necefTity of handing 
Chem down topoftirrity, render their admif- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 81 

^ion here eflentially proper. They will re- 
frefh the memory of thofe few worthies who 
may yet be living, as well as render dear to 
every friend of liberty, the memories of thofc 
who are dead. We fnall therefore give 
them with the preamble, as unanimoufly paf- 
fcd ill congrefs, in the words following viz: 

'^Whereas, fince the clofe of the laft war, 
the Britilli parliament, claiming a power, of 
right, to bind the people of America by fta- 
tues in all cases whatfoever, hath in feme adts 
exprcfsly im.pofed taxes on them ; and in 
others, under various pretences, but in fa6t 
for the purpofe of raifing a revenue, hath im- 
pofed rates aid duties payable in thefe colo- 
nies, ellabiifhed a board of commifTioners 
with unconllitutional powers, and extended 
the jurifdidlion of courts of admiralty, not 
only for colledling the faid duties, but for the 
trial ofcaufi's merely arifmg v/ithin the body 
of a country. 

''And whereas, in confequence of other 
flatutes, judges, who before held only eilates 
at will in their ofiices, have been made de- 
pendent on the crown alone for their falaries, 
and {landing armies kept in the times of 
peace : And whereas it has lately Jbeen re- 
folved in parliament, that by force of a fta- 
tue, made in the thirty-fifth year of the reign 
of king Henry Vlll. colonifts may be tranf- 
ported to England and tried there upon ac- 



82 THE LIFE OF 

cufations for treafons, and mifpriibns and 
concealments of trcafons committed in the 
colonies, and by a late ftatute, fiich trials 
have been directed in cafes therein mentioned. 

*'And whereas, in the laft fefsion of parlia- 
ment, three ftatues were made j one entitled, 
*An a6V to difcontinue in fuch manner and 
for fuch time as are therein mentioned, the 
landing and difcharging, lading or fhipping 
of goods, wares, and merchandife, at the 
town, and within the harbour of Bofton, 
in the province of Mafiachufett's Bay in N. 
America ,* aifo one, entitled, ^An a6t for the 
better regulating the government of the pro- 
vince of Maffachufect's Bay in New-Eng- 
land ;' and alfo one, entitled, *An aft for 
the impartial adminift ration of juRice, in the 
cases of perfons qiieilioned for any a6l done 
by them in the execution of the law, or for 
the fupprefsion of riots and tum.ults, in the 
provinceof Marfachufett'sBay in New-Eng- 
land •/ aifo, another flatute then made, 
*for making more eflfeclual provifion for the 
government of the province ofQuebec,&c/' 
Ail which ftatutes are impolitic, unjuft, and 
cruel, as well as unconditutional, and dange- 
rous and deftrudive of American rights. 

*'And whereas, affemblies have been fre- 
quently diffolved, contrary to the rights of 
the people, when they attempted to deliber- 
ate on grievances ; and their dutiful^ humble. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 83 

loyal, and reafonable petitions to the crown 
for redrefs, having been repeatedly treated 
with contempt by his inajefty's nniniilcrs of 
(late : the good people of the feveral colonies 
of Nevv-Hampfhire, Mafiachufett's Bay, 
Rhode-Ifland and Providence Plantations, 
Connedicut, New-York, Pennfylvania, 
New-Jerfey, New-Caflrle, Kent and SulTex 
on Deieware, Maryland^ Virginia, North- 
Carolina, and South-Carolina, jufdy aiarnn- 
ed at the arbitrary proceedings of parliament 
and adminiftration, have feveraily eledted, 
conilituted and appointed deputies to meet 
and fit in general congrefs, in the city of Phil- 
adelphia, in order to obtain fuch eftablifli- 
ment, as that their religion, laws, and liber- 
ties, may not be fubverted : whereupon the 
deputies fo appointed being now aflembled, 
in a full and free reprefehtation of thefe co- 
lonies, taking into their mofl; feriousconfid- 
eration, the btil means of attaining the ends 
aforefaid, do in the firft place, as Englifhmen 
their anceftors in like cafes have ufually done, 
for aflerting and vindicating their rights and 
liberties, declare, that the inhabitants of 
the EngiiQi colonies in North America, by 
the immutable laws of nature, the principles 
oftheEnghfli conftitution, and the feveral 
charters or eompads, have the following 
rights. 

*' Refolved> 1(1, that they are.eniitled to 



84 THE LIFE OF 

life, liberty, and property ; and that they 
have never ceeded to any foverign power 
.whatever, a right to difpofe of either without 
their confent. 

" Resolved, 2d, that our anceflors, who 
firfl fettled thefe colonics, were, at the time 
of their emigration from the mother country, 
entitled to ail the rights, liberties, and im- 
munities of free and natural born fubjeds, 
within the realm of England. 

" Helolved, 3d, that by fuch emigrntion 
they bv no means forfeited, furrendered, or 
loft any ofthofe rights, but that they were 
and their defcendants, now are entitled to the 
cxercife and enjoym.ent of all fuch of them, 
as their local and other circumflances enabl- 
ed them to exercife and enjoy. 

'' Refolved, 4th, that the found;^tIon of 
Englifh liberty and of all free government, 
is a right in the people to participate in their 
legifiative council : and as the Englifh colo^ 
nifts are not reprefented, and from their lo- 
cal and other ciicumftances cannot pioperly 
be reprefented in the Britifh parliament, 
they are entitled to a free and exclufive pow- 
er of legiflation in their feveral provincial 
legiQatures, v.'here their right of reprefenta- 
tion can alone be preierved, in all cafes of 
taxation and internal polity fubie^l^only to 
the negative of their fovereign, in (bcli m.an- 
ner as has been heretofore vifed and accn^^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 85 

tomed : but from the neceiTity of the cafe, 
and a regard to the mutual intereft of both 
countries, we cheerfully confent to the oper- 
ation of fuch adls of the Britifh parliament, 
as are, honafide^ rcllraintd to the regulation 
of our external commerce, for the purpofe 
of fecuring the commercial advantages of 
the whole empire to the mother country, and 
the commercial benefits of its refpedtive 
members ; excluding every idea of taxation 
internal or external, for raifing a revenue 
on fubjeds of America without their confent, 
"Refolved, 5th, that the rcfpcftive colo- 
nies are entitled to the common law of Eng- 
land, and more efpecially to the great and 
; ineftimable privilege of being tried by their 
j peers of the vicinage, according to the 
' courfc of that law. 

; " Refolved, 6th, that they are entitled to 
'. the benefit of fuch of the Englifh fliatutes, as 
1 cxifted at the time of their colonifation ; and 
I which they have, by experience, refpe(51:ively 
\ found to be applicable to their feveral local 
I and other circumflances. 

*' Refolved, 7th, that thefe, his majefty's 

colonies are likewife entitled to all the im- 

jmunities and privileges granted and coii- 

j firmed to them by royal charters, orfccur- 

cd by their feveral codes of provincial laws. 

*' Refolved, Sth, that they have a right 

peaceably to affcmble, confider of their 



afe^ THE LIFE OF 

grievances, and petition the king; and that 
all profccutionsj prohibitory proclamations^ 
and coiiitTiitnients for the fame, are illegal. 

'^ Refolved, 9di, that the keeping a (land- 
ing army in thefe colonies, in tinnes of peace;, 
without tiie confent of the legiflature of that 
colony in which fuch army is kept, is againft 
law. 

*^ Refolved, lOtli, it is indifpenfibly necef- 
fary to good government, and rendered ef~ 
iential by the Englifh conftitution, that the 
conllituent branches of the legiflature be in- 
pepcndent of each other ; that, therefore, the 
exercife of iegiQarive power in feveral colo- 
nies by a council appointed, during pleafure. 
by the crown, is unconftitutional, dangerous, 
and deflructive to the freedom of American 
lep-idacion. 

o 

Ail and each of the aforel^ud deputies^ in 
behalf of themfelves 2nd their conftituentSj 
do claim, deman^i, and infill: on, as their in- 
dubitable rights and liberries ; which cannot 
be legally taken from tlierc altered or sbridg- 
ed by any power whatever, without their own 
conknt; b'v their rcprefentatives it their fev- 
erai provincial l(-gifai:ures. 

**]nthe coiiifo of our inquiry, we find 
many infiingcments and violations of the 
f')reo;oini?; rio-hts which, from an ardent dc- 
fii^ thatliarmony and mutual intercourfe of 
aff^dicn and intercri- may be rcflored, w^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 87 

pafsover for the pfefenr, and proceed to (late 
iuch ads and meafurts as have been adopted 
fince the lafl: war, which denaonliiffte a fyf- 
tenn formed to enflave Annerica. 

" Refolvedj that the following zd:s of par* 
■liament are infringements and violations of 
the rights of the coloniils ; and that the re- 
peal of them is efTentially necefTary, in order 
-to reftoj-e harmony between Great Britain 
and the i\merican colonies, viz. 

*' The feveral a6ls of 4 Geo, III. chap. 15, 
and chap. 34. 5 Geo. III. chap. 25. 6 
Geo. III. chap. 52. 7 Geo. III. chap, 41, 
and chap. 46. .8 Geo. chap. 22 ; which im- 
pofe duties for the piirpOiC of raifing a rev« 
enue in America ; extend the power of the 
admiralty coyrts beyond their ancient limits; 
deprive the American fubjrcl oftrial by j'jry ; 
authorize the judge's certincate to indemjiify 
the profecutor from damages, that h-e iTiight 
othervv'ife be liable to ; requiring oppreffive 
fecurity from a claimant of fnips and goods 
feized, before he fnail be allowed to defend 
his property, and are fubverfive of Ameucan 
rights. 

"Alfo 12 Geo. III. chap, 24, intituled, 
* an adl for the better fecuring his majrlly's 
dockyards, magazines, fnips, ammunition, 
and ftores,' w^hich declares a new offence in 
America, and deprives the Anierican fub- 
jed: of a conrtiutional trial by a jury of vicin- 



88 THE LIFE OF 

age, by authorizing the trial of any perfon 
charged with the commiting of any offence 
defci ibed in the faid ad:, out of the realm, to 
be indided and tried for the fame in any fhire 
or county within the realm. 

" Aifo the three a6ls pafied in the lad {ef'^ 
fion of parliament, for ftoping the port and 
blocking up the harbour of Bofton, for al- 
tering the charter and government of MalTa- 
chufett's Bay, and that which is intituled, 
^an acl for the better adminiftration of juf- 
tice, &c/ 

** Alfo, the a6l pafied in the fame felTion 
rpr eftabliniing the roman catholic religion 
In the province of Quebec, abolifhing the 
equitable fyHem of Englifh laws, and ered- 
ing a tyranny there, to the great danger, 
(from fo total a diffiiiiilarity of religion, law, 
and government) of the neighbouring Britiili 
colonies, by the aOlftance of v^hofe blood 
and treafure the faid country v^'as conquered 
fi'om France. 

" Alfo, the acl pafTed in the fame felTion 
for the better providing fuicable quarters for 
oflicers and foldiers in his majsfly's fervice 
in North America. 

'^ Alfo, that the keeping a {landing army 
in feveral of thefe colonies, in times of peace, 
without the confent of the legiflatureof that 
colony in which fuch army is kept, is againft 
law. 



GEOR<3E -WASHINGTON. 8§ 

" To thefe grevious afts and meafures, 
Americans cannot fubmit ; but in hopes 
their fellow fubjt^ls in Great Britain will, on 
a revifion of them, reftore us to that ftate, 
in which both countries found happinefs and 
profperity, we have for the prefent only re- 
folved to purfue the following peaceable 
meafures: 1. to enter into a non-importa- 
tion, non-eonfumiption, and non-exportation 
agreement or afTociation. 2. To prepare an 
addrefs to the people of Great Britain, and 
a memorial to the inhabitants ofBritifh A- 
merica ; and, 3. to prepare a loyal addrefs 
to his majelty, agreeable to refoluxions alrea- 
dy entered into/' 

^' Refolved, that this congrefs do approve 
of the oppoiition made by the inhabitants of 
Maflachulett's Bay, to the execution of 
the faid late ads of Parliament i and if the 
fame Ihall be attempted to be carried into 
execution by force, in fuch cafe, all Am.erica 
ought 10 fupport them in their oppoiition. 

'4^efolved, that the removal of the people 
of Boflon into the country, Vv'ould be not on- 
Jy extremely difficult in the execution, but 
fo important in its confequenceSj as to re- 
quire the utmoft deliberation before it is a- 
dopted. But in cafe the Provincial ?vleet- 
ingof that colony fhall judge it abfolutely 
^jieceiTary, it is the opinion of this congrefsj 
ithat all America ought to contribute /a- 



90 THE LIFE OF 

wards rccompcnfing them for the injury they 
may thereby iuftain. 

** Refolved, that this congrefs do recom- 
mend to the inhabitants of MafTachufett's 
Bay, to fubmit to a fufpenfion of the admin- 
illration ofjuf^ice, where it cannot be pro- 
cured in a legal and peaceable manner, un- 
der the rules of the charter, and the laws 
founded theron, until the effe6lsof our appli- 
cation for the repeal of the acts b)/ which their 
charter rights are infringed is known. 

" Refolved unanimoufly, that every per- 
ibn who fhall take, accept, or aft under any 
commiflion or authority, in any wife derived 
from the a£l pafTed in the lad felTion of Par- 
liament, changing the form of government, 
and violating the charter of the province of 
MaiTachufett's Bay, ought to be held in de- 
teflation, and confidered as the wicked tool of 
that defpotifm which is preparing to deftroy 
thofe rights which God, nature, and com- 
padl, hath given to America. 

** Refolved unanimoufly, that the people 
r)f Bofton and the MafTachufett's Bay, be ad« 
viftd flill to condu6l themfelves peaccbly to= 
wards his Excellency general Gage, and his 
majefty's troops now ftaticned in the town 
of Bcfton, as far as can pofTibly confift with 
their immediate fafety and the fecurity of 
the town J avoiding and difcountenancing 
^very vlola-tion of his majefty's property, oi*' 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 91 

any infult to his troops ; and that they peace- 
ably and firmly preferve in the line in which 
they are now conducing themfelves on the 
defenfive. 

" Reiblved, that the feizing, or attempt- 
ing to feize, any pcrfon in America, in order 
to tranfport fuch perfon beyond the fea, for 
trial of offences, commited within the body 
of a county in America, being againfl: law, 
will juftify, and ought to meet with refinance 
and reprifal. * 

Matters having thus come to fo ferious a 
crifis, the congrefs then fent a letter to gen. 
Gage, the following of which is a copy, (ign- 
ed agreeable to order, by the Prefident. 

Philadelphia^ Oct, 10, 1774. 

" The inhabitants of the town of Bofton 
have informed us the Reprefentatives of his 
majefty's faithful fubjeds in all the colonies 
from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, that the for- 
tifications creeling within that town, the fre- 
quent invafions of private property, and the 
1. repeated infuks they receive from the fol- 
j diery, hath given them great reafonto fufpeifl 
i ar pkn is formed very deflrudive to them, 
and tending to overthrow the liberties of 
1 America. 

Your Excellency cannot be a ftran^er to 



$2 THE LIFE OF 

the fentiments of America with refpedt to 
the late a6ls of Parliamentj under the execu- 
tion of which thofe unhappy people are op- 
prcfTed ; the approbation univerfally exprefsr 
cd of their condudl, and the determined re- 
folutionsof the colonies, for the prefervatioa 
of their common rights, to unite in their op- 
pofition to thofe ads. In confequence of 
thefe fentiments, they have appointed us the 
guardains of their rights and liberties, and 
we are under the deepell concern, that, 
whilir Vv^e are purfuing every dutiful and 
peaceable meafure, to procure a cordial and 
eife6lual reconciliation between Great Bii- 
tain and the colonies, your Excellency fliould 
proceed in a manner that bears fo hoftile an 
appearance, and which even thofe oppreffive 
ads do not warrant. 

V/e entreat your Excellency to ccnfider, 
what tendency this condud mud have to ir- 
ritate atid force a people, however well dif- 
pofed to peaceable meaiiires, into hoftilities, 
which iTiay prevent the endeavours of this 
congrefs to refcore agood underfcandingwith 
the parent ftate, and involve U5 in the hor-. 
rorsof a civil war. 

^Mn order therefore to quiet the minds, 
and remove the reriibnable jealonfies of th^ 
people, that they may not be driven to a 
'ilate of defperatiouj being fully perfuaded of 
stheir pacific difpofition towards the kiAg*« 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 95 

LTOOps, could they be aflfured of their own fafe- 
tyi we hope, sir, you will difcontinue the for- 
tifications in and about Bofton, prevent any- 
further invafions of private property, reftrain 
the irregularities of the foldiers, and give or- 
ders that the communications between that 
town and country may be open, unmolefted, 
and free. 

" Signed, by order and in behalf of the 
General Gongrefs, 

PEYTON RANDOLPH, President." 

All this time the difpofition of the people 
had correfponded with the warmcft wifhes of 
congrefs. The firft of June had been kept 
as a fall, not only throughout Virginia where 
it was firft propofed, but throughout the 
whole continent. Contributions for the dif- 
trefTcs of Bofton had been raifed throughout 
i 'America, and people of all ranks fee med to 
be particularly touched widi them. Even 
thofe who feemcd to be moft likely to derive 
advantage from them took no opportunity, as 
has been inflanced in the cafe of Salem. The 
' inhabitants of Marblehead aifo fhowed a no- 
ble example of magnanimity in the piefent 
cale. Though fituated in the neighbour- 
jhood of Bofton, and moil: likely to derive 
Vbencfit from their diftrefles, they did not at-i 
j tempt to take any advantage, but gcneroufly 



,r 



r ■ 
94 THE LIFE OF 

offered the ufc of their harbour to the Boflon- 
ians, as well as their wharves and wai ehoufes^ 
free of all expence. In the mean time the 
Britifh forces at Bofton were continually in- 
creafing in number, which greatly augment- 
ed the general jealoufy and dififfedion ; the 
country were ready to rife at a m.omcnts 
warning ; and the experiment was made by 
giving a falle alarm that the communication 
between the town and country was to be cut 
off, in order to reduce the former by famine 
to a compliance with the a61s of parliament.. 
On this intelligence the country people af- 
fembled in great numbers, and could not' be 
fatisfied till they had fent meffcngers into the 
city to inquire into the truch of the report, 
Thefe meffengers were' enjoined to inform 
the town's people, that if they fl-iou Id be (o 
pufil;inimc>us as to make a furrender of their 
liberties, the province would not think itfelf 
bound by fuch examples ; and that Britain, 
by breaking their original charter, had an- 
nulled the contraft fubfilliijg between them, 
and left them to a6l as tliey thought proper. 
The people in every other refped mani- 
feded their ioflr.xible determination to ad- 
here to the plan they had fo followed. The 
nev/ councellors and judges were obliged to 
reiign their offices, in order to preferve their 
lives and propei ties from the fury of the mul- 
ikude. In fome places they (hut up the 



CEORGE WASHI-MGTON. 9S 

avenues to the court-houfes ; and when re- 
quired to make way for the judges, replied, 
that they knew of none but fuch as were ap- 
pointed by the ancient ufage and cuftom of 
the province. Every v^^here they manifefted 
the moft ardent defire of learning the art of 
v/ar j and every individual who could bear 
arm, was moft affiduous in procuring them, 
^pA learning their exercifc. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

.'B^^on 27€ck fortijitd.,,. Military stores seized.,,, 
John Hancock dismissed. ..,Wasiiin^non's zeal..,, 
Tovjii Meeting..,. Remonstrance.^,., Assembly met 
,,., Provincial Congress..., Difficulty in quartering 
the trooi'S,.,. Sufferings of the inhabitants.,, .Con- 
gress met Minute Men Troops sent to Con-. 

cord.,.. Arrival ct Le xingion,,..Engai: tment ... Re- 
treat,. ..Joined by L. Percy. .,. Ret? eat.,,. /Imeri- 
lans animated Congress meet at Fhlludelphia* 

iVlATTERS now proceeded to fiicli an 
height, that general Gage, thought proper to 
fortify the neck of U^nd which joins the tovm 
of Boilon to ch^r continent 1 his proceed- 
ing was exclaimed againii by the Americans 
in the mofi vehement manner ; but the gen^ 
era), inftead if giving ear to their lemonftran^ 
CCS, deprived them of all power of acting a- 
gainft hiiTifclf^ by fei zing the provincial pow- 



96 THE LIFE OF 

dcr, ammunition, and military (lores at Cam* 
bridge and Charleflown, This excited fuch 
indignation, that it was with the utmoft dif- 
ficulty the people could be reftrained from 
marching to Boflon and attacking the troops. 
Even in the town itfelf, the company of ca- 
dets that ufcd to attend him difbanded them- 
fclves, and returned the ftandard he had zs 
ufual prefented them with on his accenfion 
to government. This was occafioncd by 
his having deprived the celebrated John 
Hancock, (afterwards prefident of congrefs,) 
of his commilTion as colonel of the cadets. 
A fimilar circumftance happened of a pro- 
vincial colonel having accepted a feat in the 
new council ; upon which twenty-four offi- 
cers of his regiment refigned their commif- 
fions in one day. 

From thefe hoflile dilpofitions it was evi- 
dent, that the enfuing fpring would be the 
commencement of a war of which even the 
mod refolute dreaded the confequenres. — » 
The utmoft diligence, however, was ufed by 
the colonies to be provided againftany attack 
of the BritiOi army. A lift of men able -to 
bear arms was made out in each province, 
and the afiemblies were animifted with the 
moft lively hopes on finding that two thirds 
of the men who had ferved in the former war 
were alive, and zealous in the caufe. 

Wailiington was among the moft adive 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 97 

in raifing troops. His well-known intrepid- 
ity and generofity obtained him a numer- 
ous corps of volunteers ; he was appointed 
their commander, and foon perfedced their 
difcipline. 

In the mean time a meeting was held of 
the principal inhabitants of the towns adja- 
cent to Bofton. The purport of this was 
publicly to renounce all obedience to the late 
adls of parliament, and to form an engage- 
ment to indemnify fuch as (hould bcprofecut- 
ed on that account -, the members of the new 
council were declared violatorsof the rights 
of the country ; ail ranks and degrees were 
exhorted to learn the ufe of arms ; and the 
receivers of the public revenue were ordered 
not to deliver it into the trcafury, but re- 
tain it in their own hands till the confticution 
iliould be reilored, or a provincial congrefs 
difpofe of it other wife. 

A remori(rrance againO: the fortifications 
on Bofloa Neck was next prepared ; in which 
they dill declared their unwilHngnefs to pro- 
ceed to any hoftile meafures ; averting only 
their firm determination not to fubmit to the 
adls of parliament they had already com- 
plained {o much of. The governor, to re- 
(lore tranquility if pofiVole, called a general 
affembly j bur lb many of the council had 
refigned their feats, that he was induced to 
coiujtermand its fitting by nroclam ition. — 
I 



9^8 tHE LIFE OF 

This meafure, however, was deemed illegal j 
the aflembly met at Salem -, and after wait- 
ing a day for the governor, voted themfelves 
into a provincial congrefs, of which Mr» 
John Hancock was chofen prefident. A 
committee was inftantly appointed, who 
waited on the governor, with a remonflrance 
concerning the fortifications on Bofton neck, 
but nothing of conkquence took place, both 
parties mutually criminating each other. — 
The alTembly immediately in 1774 remov- 
ed from Salem to Concord, a pleafant and 
confiderable town about eighteen miles from 
Bofton. Previous to its firft fettlemenr. 
Concord was called by the Indians Mufque- 
tequid. The winter was now coming on, 
and the governor, to avoid qvtartering the 
foldiers upon the inhabitants, propofed to e- 
red barracks for them 5 but the relcdt-men 
^f Boflon compelled the workmen to defifl-. 
Carpenters were fent for to New York, but 
tht-y were refufed ; and it was with the iitmoft 
difhculty that he could procure winter lodg- 
ings f.jr his troops. Nor was the difliculty 
Ids in procuring clothes ; the merchants 
of N e w» Y Oik told h i m , * ' that th ey wou 1 d 
never fiipply any article for the benefit of 
men fent as enemirs to their country." 

Tliis difpofition, known to be ahiiofl: iini- 
veifil thro.ighouL rhe continent, uas in the 
highcll degree iatisfaciory to congrefs. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 99 

Magazines of arms were colledled, and 
money was provided for the paynnent of the 
troops. The governors in vain attennpted 
to put a (lop to thefe proceedings by proc- 
lamations. 

The awful moment now approached 
which was to involve Great Britian and her 
colonies in all the horrors of a civil v^ar.— • 

In Februrary 1775, the Provincial Con- 
grefs of MafTachufett's met at Cambridge. 
Several military infiiturions for the protec- 
tion of the province wereedabliflied, among 
the moft remarkable of which was that of 
the Minute -men, A number of the moft 
adive and expert of the New-England mili- 
tia were feleded, who were obliged to hold 
themfelves in readinefs to obey the firft fum- 
mons of their ofHcers ; and ineeed their fub- 
fequent vigilance and intrepidity fully entitl- 
ed them to the above-mentioned appel- 
lation, 

A regular correfpondence was now fettled 
between Congrefs and the provincial meet- 
ings, by which the motions of all the col- 
onies were dii edted. 

General Gage having been informed that 
a large quantity of m.ilirary fl:ores w^re col- 
ledled at Concord, about eighteen miles 
from Bofton, fent a detachment to that place 
todeftroy them. The troops had orders to 
feize MciTrs. Hancock and Adams^ two lead- 



ipO THE LIFE OF 

ing men of the provincial congreis, which 
v/as then fitting at Concord. On the 19th, 
<)f April, 1775, the detachment marched 
from Eofion early in the morning. They 
proceeded with the utmoft filence, and fe- 
curcd every perfon they met to prevent the 
country being alarmed ; but notwithlland- 
ingthefe precautions, they foon found, by the 
continual firing of guns and ringing of bells, 
that they were difcovered by the minute- 
men. About five o'clock they arrived at 
Lexington, ten miles diilant from Bofton. 
The militia were exercifing on a gretn near 
the town. Major Pitcairn, who v/as at the 
head of the Britidi detachment, called out, 
** Difpcrfc, you rebels! throw down your 
arms and dilperfe.*' They ftili continued in 
a body, on which he commanded the regu- 
lars to tirCj and they difcharged a volley, by 
which feveral of the Americans were killed 
and wound^^d. The troops then proceeded 
to Concord, where they dcdioyed the ftores, 
and engaged in a flcirmifli with the provin- 
cials, in which many were killed on both 
fides. In the retreat of the Br itiih troops 
from Concord to Lexington, a Tpace of fix 
miles, they were purfued with the ucmofl fu- 
ry by the Americans, who fired at them from 
behind flone walls, high enough to cover the 
alTailants from the fire of m.en, who were 
marching with the greatefl expedition. At 



GEORGE WASHINGTbN. 101 

Lexington, the Britifh troops were joined 
t)V a detachment under lord Percy, with two 
iield pieces. As the cannon were managed 
with the greateft fkill and adlivity, they re- 
prefled the ardour of the Americans, other- 
wife the detachment would have been entire- 
ly cut to pieces, or made prifoners. They 
efFeded their retreat to Bodon, with the lofs 
of two hundred and feventy killed and 
wounded ; the lofs of the provincials was a- 
bout eighty. 

This vidtory animated the courage of the 
Americans to the highefl: degree, infomuch 
that in a few days their army amounted to 
twenty thoufand men. This formidable bo- 
dy of troops wasjoined by a corps from Con- 
nedicut, under general Putnam, a veteran 
officer. The Americans now completely 
blockaded the town of Bofton, which, how- 
ever, was fo (Irongly fortified by general 
Gage, they did not venture to attack it. 

Meanwhile congrefs met at Philadelphia, 
on the 10th of May, 1775, and John Han- 
cock was unanimouHy elected Prefident.-^ 
This gentleman had eminently fignaiifed 
himfeif, and expended the principal part of 
his fortune rn the caufe of his country. He 
had been colond of the company of cadets 
in Bofron, and when deprived of his com- 
miffion by general Gage, the corps in4ifguffi 
difbanded themfcl vcs. 



102 THE LIFE Of 

Thus while the fpirit of felf-defence was 
going on in the province of Maflachufctt's^ 
the ftates of New-Hampfliire, Connedticut 
and Rhode Ifland, were not inadtive. A 
party of volunteers raifed in Conne(51icur, 
inarched to Bennington^ Vernnont, early in 
May 1775, where they v»/ere joined by oth- 
ers, with a view to guard the colonies from 
any attack from Canada. For this purpofe 
they furprifed the forts of Ticonderoga, and 
Crown Point, thefe gave them the command 
of the Lakes of George and Champlain -, and 
they the more completely fecured thefe 
poils, by taking pofleflion of a floop of war, 
then anchored off St. Johns. By thefe en* 
terprizes the hopes ofcongrefswere flrength- 
<fned, and the colonies put in pofiefTion of 
conOderable ammunition, as well as having 
a tendancy to expel the timidity of the mid- 
dle and fouihern fiates, v^/ho before had much 
hcTitation, both as to the greatnefs, and ex- 
pediency of the contefi:. They however, 
now began to be m.ore decided, and coliedl- 
ing thtir ideas on the futjecl of refiftance, 
began to imbody troops in all the different 
parts of the colonies, and colled: ammuni- 
tion and fcores, wherever they could find 
them. Correfponding committees were ap- 
pointed about this tim.e, in different parts of 
the colonies to adl with the general congrcfs 
now fitting in Philadelphia. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 1Q3 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Arriba! of Gen. Howe^ i:fc,,*. Description of Boston 
.... Battle of Breeds Hill, . . . Bimkers Hill. . . . Wash - 
ington appcvited Commander in Chief..,. His ad- 
dress to Congress, ..Commission presented.. ..Takes 
comriiGnd...,His arrival at the Camp at Cambridge 
....Declaration PubLshed...,^uebtc Bill., .. Corf er- 
ence ^^ith the Indians. 

1 OWAPvDS the clofe of May, reinforce- 
ments of Britiih troops from England arriv- 
ed at Bofton, under the command of gener- 
als Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, officers 
ofknown reputation. 

In order to give the reader fome Idea of 
the pofuion of the two contending parties, at 
this time, it may not be improper to give a 
brief defcription of the ground occupied by 
each of thsm, at the commencement of the 
adlion. Bofton ftands on a peninfula, divid- 
ed from Charkstown by Charles river, which 
is about 1550 i^tx. wide. The view cf the 
town as it is approached from the fea is beau- 
tiful and piclurcfque. It is built in a circu- 
lar but irregular form^ and contains but few 
ilreets of confiderable breadth, ic is furround- 
ed by confiderable iflands, hights, towns and 
villages, which made it a m.ore unfifr refuge 
for the enemy. On the margin of die nvcr 



i04 THE LIFE OF 

were feveral hills, fiich as beacons, copes^ 
forts, &c. ; fome of which are (ince the war,' 
levelled. On the north fide of Charles river, 
lies Charleftown, which is alfo built on a pen* 
infula fornned by Myftic river, on the eaft, 
andabayfetting up from Charles river, on the 
wed. iFrom Charleflown neck towards the 
river. Bunkers Hill takes a rapid rife to its 
fummit, which is about half a mile from the 
neck. It over- looks Myftic river, and the 
bay, and is*wiihin halfa mile of Breeds Hill 
by a narrow pafs between two fences, but is 
much higher than Breeds Hill, and its afcent 
more difficult on all fides. Breeds Hill from 
the fummit, takes a rapid decent towards 
the river, and over-looks BoQon on the op- 
pofite fhore, and is feated exadly oppofite 
Fort Hill. 

From this fhort defer! ption the reader 
may form fome idea of the pofition of the 
contending parties. From the paoment of 
the arrival of the troops, under Howe, Bur- 
goyne and Clinton, the people were under 
fear and great con(l:ernation, this was alfo ex- 
cited by Gage's proclamation, declaring the 
town and neighbourhood, as wtll as all who 
dared to take upsrmsagainfl: the government 
to be under martial lav», at the fame tim.e of- 
fering pardon to all on their fiibmifiion to 
the king, except Jolin Hancock then prcfi- 
dcRtof Congrefsj and Samiiel Adams, 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 1G5 

The people nov/ began to fee their fitua- 
tion, and believing that nothing elfe but an 
appeal to arms would fettle the controverfy^ 
haftened to put thejiifelves in as formidable 
a flate of d-fence as poffible. A council of 
thQ firft and mofi leading charaders were 
therefore called, and the fears of the people 
cf a vifit from the king's troops to the inte- 
rior of the country haftened the decifion.— - 
It was therefore thought proper to imme- 
diately fet about fortifying Dorchtlcer 
heights and Bunkers Hill ; but the work be- 
gan fii^fl on Breeds Hill. Accordingly not- 
withdanding the number of vefTels of war 
in the harbour, and their nearnefs to the face 
of the enemy, a party of the provincials took 
poiTefTion of this hill in the night of die i6th 
of June, and worked with fuch diligence and 
filence, that before the dawn they had near- 
ly completed a redoubt and ftiong retrench- 
ment, which extended half a mile. When 
they were difcovered by the Bncifli troops, 
they were plied with an incedant cannonade 
from the (hips and floating batteries, befides 
the cannon that could reach the place from 
Bofton. The provincials however contin- 
ued their work, which they completed abi;u{: 
noon, when a conHderable body of infantry 
was landed at the foot of Bunkers Hill, un- 
der the command of general Pigct. The 
f ^" was to attack the provincial lines, the fe • 



106 THE LIFE OF 

cond, a redoubt. The Britilh troops afcend- 
cd the hill with the greatefl intrepidity, but 
on their approach to the entrenchments, they 
were received with a difcharge of cannon 
and i-nufquetfy, that poured down a full half 
hour upon them like a torrent* The execu- 
tion it did was terrible, infomuch that fome 
€>f the oldeft ofRcers declared it was the hot- 
tefl: fervice they had ever feen ; general 
Howe, whofe fortitude was remarkable on 
this trying occaiion, flood for a few moments 
almofl alone, the greateft part of his officers 
being either kilkd or wounded. Meanwhile 
general Pigot wars engaged with the provin- 
cials on the left, where he mietfo warm a re- 
ception, that his troops were thrown into 
diforder, but general Clinton coming up with 
a reinforc niTnt, they quicklv rallied ind at- 
tacked the works with luch fury, that the A- 
meiicans were driven beyond the neck that 
leads to Ch&rjeftown. The Eritifli troops 
liaving been annoyed by the enemy from* the 
lio.ulies of chat town, they jict it on fire and 
confumed it to afhes. 

In this engagement the carnage was great- 
er in proportion to the num.bcr of troops, 
than in any other during the war. 1 he lofs 
of the Britifli army amounted, in killed 
and wounded, to upwards of a thoufand in- 
cluding eighty- nine officers ; but the Amer- 
ftcans according to their own avcountj loft on- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 107 

ly five hundred men. This difparicy of num- 
bers may be accounted for by the provincials 
having fought behind entrenchments, which 
jfheltered them from the cannon of the ene- 
my, and where their markfmen could take 
aim with precifion. 

The Britifh troops claimed this dear- 
bought viflory. On the American fide the 
lofs moft regretted was general Warren. 

After the battle of Bunkers Hill, the pro- 
vincials ere6ted fortifications on a height op- 
pofite Charleftown ; their adivity and bold- 
nefs aftoniriied the Britifh officers, who had 
eonfiderfd ihem as a contemptable enemy. 
The garrilon of Boflon was foon reduced to 
extreme diftrefs for want of provifions. 

During thefe tranfadions at Bofton con- 
grefs continued to a61: with all the vigour 
which its conflituents had expedfd. They 
refblved on the edabiiiliment of an army, 
and a large paper currency for irs fupport ; 
and they nominated a general to the fupreme 
command of the provincial forces. 

Wafliington, who was a delegate from 
Virginia, was by their unanimous vote ap- 
pointed to the important pod of command- 
er-in-chief, and his fubfequent condu^fl 
fliewed him every way worthy of their con- 
fidence. They alio voted him as ample a fal- 
ary as was in their jiower to beftow, but he 
generouQy declined all pecuniary emolq^ 



i08 THE LIFE Ot 

ments. His reply to the Prefident of con- 
grcfs, on his nomination to the fuprcme com- 
nnand of the arniy, was in the following 
words : 

"Mr. Prefident, 

" Though I am truly fenfible of the high 
honour done me in this appointment, yet I 
feel great diflrefs frorrr a confcioufnefs that 
my abilities and military experience may not 
be equal to the extenfivc and important 
tnn\; however, as the congrefs deJiire it, I 
will enter upon the momentusduty and ex- 
ert every power I possefs in their fervice, and 
for fupport of the glorious caufe. I beg 
they v/.ill accept my moft cordial thanks for 
this diftinguifhed-teftimony of their appro- 
bation. 

^^ But, left fome unlucky event fhould 
happen unfavourable to my reputation, I 
beg it may be remembered by every gentle- 
man in the room, that I this day declare, 
with the litiTioft fincerity, I do not think my- 
felf equal to the command I am honoured 
with. 

^* As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to affure the 
Congrefs, that as no pecuniary confideration 
could have tempeed rne to accept this ardu- 
ous employment, at the expence of my 
domeftic eafe and happinefs^ I do not willi 
to make any profit from it. i will keep aq 



GEORGE WASHINOTON. 109 

exa6l account of my expenses 5 thofe, 1 
doubt not, they will difcharge, and this is 
all 1 define." 

This reply is a proof of that difinterefl- 
cdnefs and nnodefty, which were the diftinr 
guifhing charadleriftics of Wafhington's 
mind. In private life, he was affable, hof- 
pitable, and friendly. Thefe fecial virtues, 
together with his tried valour, made him 
truly eftimable in the eyes of his country^ 
men. His eleflion to the fupreme com- 
mand was accompanied by no competition, 
every member of Congrefs, efpecially thofe 
of New-England, were convinced of his 
integrity, and chofc him as the man bed 
qualified to raife their expectations and fix 
their confidence. 

The appointment of Wa(hington was 
attended with other promotions, namely, 
four major generals, one adjutant-general, 
and eight brigadier-generals. 

0.1 the day following, a fpecial commif-^ 
fion was prefented to Wafnington, by Con- 
grefs. At the fame time, they refclved un- 
animoufly, in a full meeting, '* that they 
wouM maintain and affifthim, and adhere 
to him with their livts and fortunes in the 
caufe of American liberty." In their in- 
{lru6lions they authorifed him " to order 
and difpofe of the army under his command 
as might be mod advantageous for obtain- 
K 




110 THE IIFE OF 

ing the end for which it had been raifed, 
making it his fpecial care, in thedifchargc 
of the great truft conannitted to him, that 
the liberties of America received no detri- 
ment." 

Wafiiington's diffidence on the accept- 
ance of his commiffion was extremely na- 
tural. His comprehenfive m.ind anticipat- 
ed the numerous difficulties which muft at- 
tend his employment, and he would gladly 
have preferred the pleafures of a rural life 
to all the " pride, pomp^ and circumftance 
of glorious war." 

Histakino; the command of the Ameri- 
can arm.y was, therefore, a ftrong exertion 
of felf-denicil to an unambitious man, who 
enjoyed all the real bleffings of life in the 
bofom of independence. He was bleft with 
the rational pleafures of a philofophic re- 
tirement, with his table overfpread with 
plenty, and his pillow fmoothed by the 
hand of conjugal love. Could man deiire 
more ? Was not this the fummit of human 
happinefs ? But when the voice of his 
country demanded his aid, he took the field 
in her defence with all the honeft zeal of 
filial attachment. 

In the beginning of July, 1775, general 
Wailiington fet out for the cam.p at Cam- 
bridge, m order to aiiume the command of 
the army. On his way thither he was trcac- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. Ill 

€d with every demonflratlon of refpeft ; ef- 
corted by detachments of gentlemen, who 
had formed volunteer afTociations, and ho- 
noured with public addrefles of congratula- 
tion from the Provincial Congrefs of New- 
York and Mafiachuletts. 

In anfwer to thefc addrelTes, Wafhington, 
after declaring his high fenfe of the regard 
fhewn him, added, *^ Be afTured., that every 
exertion of my worthy colleagues and my- 
ielf will be extended to the re-eftablifhment 
of peace arid harmony between the mother 
country and thefe colonies. As to the fatal, 
but necefhiry operations of war, when v/e 
afTumed the foldier, we did not lay afide the 
citizen; and we fliall moil: fincerely rejoice 
with you in that happ^ hour, when the re« 
cftablirnment of American liberty, on the 
ttiofi: firm and folid foundations, Ihail enable 
us to return to our private fiations, in the 
bofom of a free, peaceful, and happy coun- 
try." 

On his arrival at the camp, he was re- 
ceived with rhe joyful acclam.ations of the 
American army. General Green was the 
fird of the generals from New-Fngland 
who, after leading his troops to Cambridge, 
(the then head- quarters of the Americans,) 
addrefTed the venerable Wafhington, on his 
arrival and appointment as commander in 
chief, declaring the high fatisfadtion he 



112 THE LIFE OF 

fhould feel in ferving under his comnnand. 
In the field, Wafhington repoled in gene- 
ral Green the utnnofl confidence, and paid 
particular attention to his advice and opin- 
ion on all difficult occafions. Walhington 
found the Britifli troops intrenched on Bun- 
kers-hill, and defended by three floating bat- 
teries in Myftic river, while the Americans 
were intrenched on \¥ inter- hill, Profpe6t- 
liill, and Roxbury, with a communication by 
fmall polls over an extent of ten miles. As 
the provincial foldiers had repaired to the 
camp in their ordinary clothing, the hunting 
ihii-t was adopted for the fake of uniformity. 
Wafhington found that his army confiiled of 
a large bo Jy of men, indifferently difciplined 
and but badly provided with arms and am- 
munition. Belides, they had neither engi* 
neers, nor fufRcient tools for the eredion of 
fortifications. He alio found uncommon 
difficulties in the organization of his army. 
JEntcrprizing leaders had diftinguiflied thera- 
felves at the commencement of hoftilities, 
and their followers, from attachment, were 
not willing to be commanded by officers 
who, though appointed by congrefs, were 
flrangers to them. To fubjedb the licenti- 
oufnefs of freemen to the control of military 
difcipline was both an arduous and a deli- 
cate taflc. However, the genius of Wafh- 
ington triumphed over all difficulties. In 



Jiis letter to Congrefs, after he had reviewed 
the troops, he fays, " I find here excellent 
materials for an army ; able-bodied men, of 
undoubted courage, and zealous in the 
caufe.'* In the fame letter, he complains 
of the want of ammunition, camp equipage, 
and many other requlfites of an army. 

Wafhington, at the head of his troops, 
publilhed a declaration, previoufly drawn 
up by Congrefs, exprelTive of their motives 
for taking up arms. It was written in en- 
ergetic language, and is as follows : 

"Were it pofTible, (faid they) for men 
who exercife their reafon, to believe that the 
divine author of our exiltence intended a 
part of the human race to hold an abfolute 
property in, and unbounded power over 
others, marked out by his infinite goodnefs 
and wifdom as the objeds of a legal deno- 
mination, never rightfully refiftible, how- 
ever fevere and oppreQive, the inhabitants 
of thefe colonies might at leaft require from 
the parliament of Great-Britain feme evi- 
xience that this dreadful authority overthem 
had been granted to that body ; but a re« 
Terence for our Great Creator, principles of 
■humanity, and the dictates of common 
fenfe, mud convince all thofe who reflect 
'Upon the fubje6l, that government -was in- 
^itu-ted to promote the welfare of m>ankin(t 

^2 



lU THE LIFE OF 

and ought to be adminiftered for the attain- 
ment of that e^d. 

" The legiflature of Great-Britain, how- 
ever, Simulated by an inordinate paflion 
for pov/er, not only iinjuftifiable, but which 
they knew to be particularly reprobated by 
the very conftitution of that kingdom j and 
defpairing of fuccefs in any mode ofcontefl: 
where regard fhould be had to lavv', truth^ 
or right : have, at length, deferting thofe, 
attempted to effedl their cruel and impoli- 
tic purpofe of enflaving thefe colonies by 
violence, and have thereby rendered it ne- 
cefTary for ua to clofe with their laft appeal 
from reafon to arms. Yet, however blind- 
ed that aflembly might be, by their intem- 
perate rage for unlimited domination, fo to 
flight jufcice in the opinion of mankind, we 
efteem ourfelves bound by obligations to 
the refb of the world to make known the 
juftice of our caufe.*' 

After taking notice of the manner in 
which their anctftors left Britain, the hap- 
pinefs attending the mutual friendly com- 
merce betwixt that country and her colo- 
nies, and the remarkable fuccefs of the late 
war, they proceeded as tollows : *' The 
new miniltry finding the brave foes of Bri- 
tain, though frequently defeated, yet ftiii 
contending, took up the unfortunate idea of 
granting them a hady peace, and of then 
fubduing her faithful frier^d^. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. il5 

K; 

R ^^ Thefe devoted colonies were judged to 

be in luch a ftate as to prefent vidlories 
without bloodfhed, and all the eafy emolu- 
ments of (latutable plunder. The uninter- 
rupted tenor of their peaceable and refpeift- 
ful behaviour from the beginning of their 
colonization; their dutiful, zealous, and 
ufeful fervices during the war, though fo 
recently and amply acknowledged in the 
inoft honourable manner by his Majelty, by 
the iate king, aod by parliamrnr, could not 
fave them from the innovations. Parlia- 
ment was influenced to adopt the pernicious 
projedt ; and alTuming a new power aver 
them, had in the courle of eleven vears piven 
fuch decifive fpecimens of the fpirit and 
confequences attending this power, as to 
leave no doubt of the effedls of acquiefcence 
under it. 

" They have undertaken to give and 
grant our money without our confenr, 
thoua^h we have ever exercifed an exclufive 

o 

right to difpofe of our own property. Sta- 
tutes have been palled for extending the ju- 
rifdidion of tiie courts of admiralty and 
vice-admiralty beyond their ancient limits, 
for depriving us of the accuftomed and in- 
eftimable rights of trial by jury, in cafes 
affeding both life and property ; for fuf- 
pending the kgiflature of 0ne of our co- 
iouic5 ^ from i^terdiding all commerce to 



IIB rat tiff. 0^ 

the capital of another ; and for altering fun- 
damentally the form of government efta- 
blrfhed by charter, and fecured by ads of 
irs own iegiflature; and folemnly confirmed 
by the crown ; for exempting the murder- 
ers of colonifts from legal trial, and in effedt 
from punifhment ; for cre6ting in a neigh- 
bouring province, acquired by the joint 
arms of Great-Britain and America, a def- 
potifm dangerous to our very exiftence; and 
for quartering foldiers upon the colonifts in 
■time of a profound peace. It has alfo been 
refolved in parliament, that colonifts charg- 
ed with committing certain offences fhalj 
be tranfported to England to be tried. 

" But why fhould we enumerate our in- 
juries in detail ? — By one ftatute it was de- 
clared, that parliament can of right make 
laws to bind us in all cafes whatever. What 
is to defend us againft fo enormous, fo un- 
limited a power ? Not a fingle perfon who 
allumes it is chofen by us, or is fubjedb to 
our control or influence ; bur, on the contra- 
ry, they are all of them exempt from the 
operation of flich laws; and an American 
revenue, if not diverted from theoftenfible 
•purpofes for v/hich it Vvas raifed, would ac- 
tually lighten their awn burdens in pro- 
portion as it increafes ours. 

" We have purfued every temperate^ 
«?/€ry rei^edful mcafore j wc have e-vesi 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 117 

proceeded to break ofF all commercial in- 
tercourfe with onr fellow-fubjedls, as onr 
laR- peaceable admonition, that our attach- 
ment to no nation on earth would fupplant 
our attachment to liberty : this, we flatter- 
ed ourfelves, was the ultimate flep of the 
controverfy j but fubfequent events have 
fhovvn how vain was this hope of finding 
moderation in our enemies ! 

^* The lords and commons, in their ad- 
drefs in the month of February, faid, that a 
rebellion at that time adlually exifted in the 
province of Mafiachufett's ; and that thofe 
concerned in it had been countenanced and 
encouraged by unlawful combination and 
engagem^ents entered into by his Majefty's 
fubjedls in feveral colonics; and therefore 
they befought his Majefty that he would take 
the moi\ efFe6lual meafnres to enforce due 
obedience to the laws and authority of the 
fupreiTie legiflature. Soon after the com- 
mercial intercourfe of whole colonies with 
foreign countries was cut off by an adl of par- 
liament ; by another, feveral of them were 
entirely prohibited from the fifheries in the 
I feas near their coafts, on which they always 
I depended for their fubfiftence ^ and large re- 
i inforcemenrs of (hips and troops were im- 
I mediately fent over to general Gage. 
I "Fruitlefs were all the entreaties, argu- 
lacients, and eloquence of an illuftrious band 



118 THE LIFE OF 

of the moft diftinguifhed peers and com- 
moners> who nobly and flrcnuoufly aflerted 
the juftice of our caufe, to (lay, or even to 
mitigate, thehecdlefs fury with which thefe 
accumulated outrages were hurried on. E- 
qually fruitlefs was the interference of the city 
of London, or Briflol, and many other ref- 
pc6table towns in our favour.'* 

The addrefs after reproaching parliament, 
general Gage and the Britifii government in 
general, goes thus : *' We have counted the 
cod of this conte^r^ and find nothing fo dread- 
ful as voluntary fiwery Honour, juftice, 
and humanity, forbids us tamely to furrend- 
er that freedom which we received from our 
gallant anceftors, and which our innocent 
pofterity have a right to receive from us. 
Our caufe is juft ; our union is perfeil ; our 
internal refcurces are great ; and if necefia- 
ry, foreign affiftance is undoubtedly attain- 
able . We fight not for glory or conqucll ; 
we exhibit to mankind the remarkable fpec- 
tacle of a people attacked by unprovoked 
enemies- 1 hey boafl: of their priveleges 
and civilization, and yet proffer no milder 
conditions than fervitude or death. In our 
own native land, in defence of the freedom 
thatisour birthright, for the protedion of our 
property acquired by the honeft induftry of 
our forefathers and our own, againft violence 
adually offered, we have taken up arms^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 119 

we fhall lay them down when hoftilitics fhall 
ceafe on the part of our aggreflbrs, and all 
danger of ther being renewed fhall be remo- 
ed, — and not before/* 

This bold and explicit manifeflo was 
dated at Philadelphia, on the 6th of July, 
1775, and fubfcribed by John Hancock,Pre- 
fident of Congrefs, and Charles Thompfbn, 
Secretary 

^'Without inquiringwhether the principles 
on which it is founded are right or wrong, 
(fays a Britifli hiftorian,) the determined 
fpirit which it ifhews^ ought to have convinc- 
ed us, thai the conqueft of America was an 
event fcarce evtr to be expedled. In every 
other refpedl an equal fpirit was ihewn ; and 
the rulers of the Biitifli nation had the mor- 
tification to fee thofe whom they ftilcd re- 
bels and traitors, fucced in negbciation in 
which they themfelves v>/ere utterly foiled." 
In the paiTmgthe Quebec bill, miniftry had 
flattered themfclves that the Canadians would 
i be fo much attached to them on account of 
reftoring the French laws, that they would 
very readily join in any attempt againft the 
colonics who had reprobated that bill in fuch 
ftrong terms : but in this, as in every thing 
J elfe they found themfelves rniflaken. The 
Canadians having been fubjcd to Britain for 
1 a period of fifleen years, and being thus ren- 
|jered Icrnfible of the fuperior advantages of 



120 THE LIFB of - 

theBritifli government, received the billitfetf 
with evident marks of diiapprobation j nay, 
reprobated it as tyrannical and oppreflivc. 
A Icheme had been formed for general 
Carleton, governor of the province, to raife 
anarmy of Canadians werewithto a6l againit 
the Americans ; and fo fanguine were the f 
hopes of the adminiftration in this refpe6V, 
that they had fent 20,000 ftand of arms, and 
a great quantity of military (lores, to Que- 
bec for the purpofe. But the people, though 
they did not jotn the Americans, yet were 
found immoveable to their pu'pofe to fiand 
neuter. Application was made to the bifh- 
op ; but he declined to inteipofe his influ- 
ence, as contrary to the rules of the Popifh 
clergy ; fo that the utmoft efforts of govern- 
ment in this province were found to anfwer 
little or no purpofe. 

The Bricifh adminiflration next tried to 
engage the Indians in their caufe. But 
though agents were difperfed among them 
with large prefents to the chiefs, they uni- 
verfally replied, that they did not underfland 
the nature of the quarrel, nor could they dif- 
tinguifh whether thofe who dwelt in Amer- 
ica or on the other fide of the ocean were in 
fault : but they were furprifed to fee En- 
gliflimen afl<: their alTiilancc againft one 
another, and advifed them to be reconciled, 
and not think of (bedding the blood of their 
brethern. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 121 

To the reprefentationsofcongrefs they paid 
more refpcd. Thefe fee forth, that the 
Englifh oa the other fide of the ocean had 
taken up arms to enflave not only their 
countrymen in America, but the Indians 
alfo ; and if the latter fhould enable them to 
overcome the colonifts, they themfelves 
would foon be reduced to a (late of flavery 
alfo. By arguments of this kind thefe fa- 
vages were engaged to remain neuter ; and 
thus the Americans were freed from a mofh 
dangerous enemy. On this occafion, the 
congrefs thought proper to hold a confer- 
ence with the different tribes of Indians, 
The fpeech made on the occafion is too long 
to be infcrted here, we fhall, therefore, 
only lay b,efore our readers, fome of the 
mod remarkable palTages. 

" Brothers, Sachems, and WarHors ! 

"We, the delegates from the Twelve Unit- 
ed Provinces, now fitting in general con- 
grefs, in Philadelphia, fend their talk to 
you our brothers. 

"Brothers and Friends, now attend I 

" When our fathers crofTed the great 

water, and came over to this land, the king 

of England gave them a talk, afifuring them 

that they and their children fhould be his 

hildren ; and that if they would leave their 

L 



1 

22 THE LIFE OF 

native country, and make fettlemcnts, and 
live here, and buy and fell, and trade with 
their brethren beyond the water, they fhould 
ftili keep hold of the fame covenant- chain, 
and enjoy peace ; and it was covenanted, 
that the fields, houfes, goods, and pcffefi- 
ions, which our fathers fliould acquire, 
fhonld remain to them as their own, and be 
their childrens* for ever, and at their fole 
difpofal, 

*' Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear ! 

*^ Wc will now tell you of the quarrel be- 
twixt the counfeliors of King George and 
the inhabitants and colonies of America. 

*^ Many of his counfeliors have perfuaded 
him to break the covenant-chain, and not 
to fend us any more good talks. They 
have prevailed upon him to enter into a co- 
venant againft us ; and have torn afiinder, 
and caft behind their backs, the good old 
covenant which their ancedors and ours en- 
tered into, and took ftrong hold of. They 
now tell us they will put their hands into our 
pocket without aO-iing, as though it were 
their ov^n ; and at their pleafure they will 
take from us our charters, or written civil 
conR'irution, v^'hich we love as our lives j 
alfj our plantations, our houfes, and goods, 
whenever they pleau'^ without anting our 
leave. They teH ns, that our veOels may 
go to zhb or thar iilind in the lea, but to 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 123 

this or that particular ifland we fliall not 
trade any more ; and in cafe of our non- 
compliance with thefe new orders, they 
fliut up our harbours. 

** Brothers, we Uve on the fame ground 
with yru, the fame ifland is our common 
birth-phicc. We de fire to fit down under 
the fame tree of peace with you : let vs 
water its roots, and cheriih their growth, till 
the large leaves and fiourilliing branches 
fhali extend to the fetting fun, and rejich 
the flcies. If any thing difi^greeable fl:i0uld 
ever fall out between us, the Twelve Un ited 
Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to 
wound our peace, let us immediately f<^ek 
meafures for healing the breach. From* 
the prefent ficuation of our affairs, we judge 
it expedient to kindle up a fmall fire at 
Albany, where we may hear each other^s 
voice, and difclofe our minds fully to one 
another." 

A general fpirit of unanimity pervaded 
the colonies at this momentous period. 
Men of all ranks and ages v/ere animjatcd 
with martial ardour, and even religious pre- 
judices were overcome by patriotic enthulT- 
afm. Several young men, of the quaker 
perfuafion, joined the military afibciationsi 
and the number of m.en in arms throughout 
the colonies was very confiderable. 

Nor was this zeal for the common caufe 



124 THE LITE OF 

confined to the men ; even the fair fek 
evinced their patriotifm. At a meeting of 
the women of Bridol county, in Pennfyiva- 
nia, a large fum of money was fubfcribed 
to raife and equip a regiment. When the 
men were embodied, a lady was deputed by 
the reft to prefent the regim.ent with a mag- 
nificent pair of colours- which had been 
wrought for them, and cmbellilhed with 
mottos and devices. She made a very ani- 
inating fpeech on the occafion, and con- 
cluded with am injunclic'n to the ofRccrs and 
foldiers, *« never to defert the colours of 
the ladies, if .they wifned that the ladies 
iliould enlift under their banners." 



CHAPTER XVIIT. 

General Gage sails for England,... British Troops 
blockaded in Bo'>t'jn....WaJjington proposes to take 
Boston,, ..Boston evacuated — General Lee sent to 
Neiv-TorL.^.Deilaration of IndepencUnce, 

xN September, general Gage failed for 
England ; and the command of the BritiHi 
army devolved on general Howe. Mean- 
while, the army under Wafhington continu- 
ed the blockade of Boflon fo clofely as to 
prevent all intercourfe between that towp 
and the country. 

An intenfe froft ufually begins in the 



GEOR*€E WASHINGTON. 125 

New- Engl and ftatcs about the latter end of 
Nov^naber, when the harbour of Bofton, 
and all the rivers in the environs of that 
town are generally frozen to a depth of ice 
fu/Hcient to bear any weight. At this tinne, 
Wafhington propofed to take poiTeflion not 
only of the town, but alfo to take or deftroy 
all the fliipping in the harbour, arid by this 
decifive enterprize, put a conclufion to all 
the hopes of Great^Britain in this quarter. 
This winter, however, was unufually mWd^ 
and, by preventing the operations of the 
provincials, b..th they and the garrifon were 
obliged to remain ina6live. As Georgia 
had joined tlie cor.federacv, the Americans 
now changed their ufual colours f? om a plain 
red ground to thirteen ftripes, alternately 
red and white, to denote the number of the 
then United Colonies, 

At the fame time, the venerable Wafli- 
ington exerted his (kill and adivity in order 
to compel the Britilh army either to fur- 
render or evacuate BoiVon, before any fuc- 
cours could arrive from England. For this 
purpofe, on the 2d of March, 1776, he 
opened a battery on the weft fiJe of the 
town, and bombarded it. This attack was 
fupported by a tremendous cannonade, and 
•on the 5th, another battery was opened on 
<hQ eaftern fhoic. Hie garrifon fuftainejd 
this dreadfyl bombardment with the greateil 



126 THE LIFE OF 

fortitude; it lafted fourteen days without 
intermifiion, when general Howe, finding 
the place no longer tenable, refolved tocnri- 
bark for Halifax. 

The evacuation of Bofton was not inter- 
rupted by the provincials, left the Britifh 
troops Ihould fet it on fire. 

When the Americans took po/TefTion of 
Bofton, they found a multitude of valuable 
articles which were unavoidably left behind 
by the Britifh. 

Wafliington, being uncertain of the de- 
stination of the fleet and army whicii had 
left Bofton, and as New-York lay expofed 
to any fudden attack, he detached feveral of 
fiis beft regiments, under general Lee for, 
the defence of that city. 

About this time, the many who were ftill 
affedled to the king, gave feme uneafinefs 
fo congrefs, and drew from them feveral 
refolutions tending to deftroy their influence. 
The newfpaprrs were vigoroufly employed 
in canvaHng the fubjecSi: of feperation on 
both fldes thequtftion, and many excellent 
cflTays were publiflied with a view to deftroy 
the influence of Biirifli agents among the 
people, but none of them feemed to deferve 
attrntion fo m.uch as a pamphlet under the 
fignature of " Com.mon Senfe,^* wrote by 
'Mr. Thomas Paine. He fays, (fpeaking 
on the prefent ftate of American aflairs) 



iSEORGE WASHINGTON, 127 

^' Volumes have been written on the fubjedfc 
of the ftrugglc between England and /\me. 
rica. Men of all ranks have embaiked in 
the controverfy, from different motives, and 
with various dellgns ; but all have been 
inefFe6lual, and the period of debates is 
clofed. Arm.s, as the laft refource^ decide 
theconteft; the appeal was the choice of 
the king, and the continent hath accepted 
the challenge. — The fun never fhined, (adds 
he) on a caufe of greater worth — *tis not 
the affair of a city, a county, a province, 
or a kingdom, but of a continent, of at lead 
one eighth part of the habitable globe. 
Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an 
age ; pofterity are virtually involved in the 
conteft, and will be more or lefs affecfled, 
even to the end of time by the proceedings. 
Nov/, now is the feed-time of continental 

ac- 
■ith 
.fa 
'ith 
wn 
ire, 
ne, 
e a 

•.if 
we 

ice, 
fral 



128 THE tirE OF 

concurrence, the glorious union of all 
things, prove the fad/* The appearance 
of this pannphlet, at that time, removed 
the doubts and fears of many j and efta- 
bliflied the opinion of others, that, Inde- 
pendence was the only bond that could Jecure 
the rights of the cclGines and injure fuccefs* 
And as it was univerfally read, it had the 
defired efffCl, as it made the objcLl: of Inde- 
pendence more generally the fubjedl of con- 
verfation amongfl: all clafTcs. 

Accordingly on the 4th of July, 1776, 
the reprefentatives of the United States of 
America, in congrefs aflerahled, formally 
renounced all connexion with Great-Britain, 
and declared themfeives independent. 
This celebrated declaration of independence 
is as follows : 

'^ When, in the courfe of human events, 
it bccomi-s neceflary for one peoples to dii- 
folve the political bands wh'ch h.ive con- 
Ke6led them with one another, and to afiumc 
nmong the pov/ers of ^'le earth the feparate 
and equalilation to wlVifh the laws of na- 
ture and of nature^s GrA entitle them, a 
decent refpe6l to the opini\\ns f>f mankind, 
requires that they fhould d^ clare the caufes 
which impel t^em to the frp-jration. 

<' We hold thrfe truths to b, ielf-evident ; 
That all men are created equjal ; that they 
are endowed by their Creator with certain 



GEORCE WASHINGTON. 129 

unalienable rights: that among thefe are 
life, liberty, and the purfuit ot happinefs ; 
that to fecure thefe rights, governments are 
inftituted among men, deriving their juft 
powers from the confent of the governed j 
that whenever any form of government be- 
comes deflrudive of thofc ends, it is the 
right of the" people to alter or to abolifii it, 
and to inftitute a new government, laying 
its foundation on fuch principles, and or- 
ganizing its powers in fuch forms as fliall 
fecm m.ofl likely to effedl their fafety and 
happinefs. Prudence, indeed, will didlate 
that governments long eflablifhed lliould 
not be changed for light and tranfient 
caufes J and accordingly ail experience hath 
fhewn, that mankind are more difpofed to 
fuffer while evils are iufferabie, than to right 
themfclves by abolifliing the forms to which 
they are accuftomed. But when a long 
train of abufes and ufurpations, purfuing in- 
variably the famiC obje6l, evinces a defign 
to reduce them under abfoiute defpotifm, 
it is their right, it is their duty, to throw 
off fuch government, and to provide new 
guards for their future fecurity. Such has 
been the patient fufferance of thefe colonies ; 
and fuch is now the neceflity which con- 
flrains them to alter their former fyftems of 
government. '1 he hiftory of the preftnt 
king of Great-Britain is a hiflory of repeat- 



130 THE LIIE or 

cd injuries and ufurpations, all having in 
dire6t objf6t tht; eftablirtiment of an ablolute 
tyranny over thefc dates. To prove this, 
ktfads be fubmitted to a candid world. 

" He has refufed his aflent to the laws the 
mod wholefonne and nectflary tor the pub- 
lic good. 

" He has forbidden his governors to pafs 
laws of imnae.diate and preffing impo:tance, 
Dnlefs fufpended in their operation till his 
aflent fliould be obtained ; and when fo fuf- 
pended, he has utterly negle6led to attend 
to them. 

"He has refufed to pafs other laws for 
the accommodation of large diftrids of peo- 
ple, unlefs thefe people would relinquifh 
the right of reprefentation in the legidature ; 
a right ineitimable to them, and formidable 
to tyrants only. 

'« He has called together legiflative bo- 
dies at places unufual, uncomfortable, and 
diftant from the depofitory of their public 
records, for the fole purpofe of fatiguing 
them into compliance with his meafures. 

" He has diflblved reprefentative houfes 
repeatedly, for oppofing with manly firmnefs 
his invafions on the rights of the people. 

*<Hehas refufed, fora longtime after fuch 
diffolutions, to caufc others to be eledled ; 
whereby the legiflative powers, incapable 
■of annihilation, have returned to the pco- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 131 

pie at large for their cxcrcife ; the (late re- 
maining, in the mean time, expofed to all 
the danger of invafion from without, and 
convulfions within. 

" He has endeavoured to prevent the po- 
pulation of thefe Hates : for the purpofe of 
obftru6ling the laws for the naturalization 
of foreigners ; refufing to pafs others to en- 
courage their migration hither ; and raifing 
the conditions of new appropriations of 
lands. 

*' He has obftru(5led the adminiftration 
of juftice, by refufing his aflent to laws for 
eftablilhing judiciary powers. 

" He has made judges dependent on 
his will alone for the tenure of their of- 
fices, and the amount and payment of their 
falaries. 

*^ He has erected a multitude of new 
offices, and fent hither fwarms of officers 
to harrafs our people, and eat out our fub- 
flance. 

'^ He has kept among us, in times of 
peace, fl;:nding armies, without the con- 
fent of our Icgiflatures. 

*' He has affcdled to render the mili- 
tary independent of, and fuperior Ui^ the 
civil power, 

*' He has combined with others to fub- 
](j^ us to a juiifdidion foreign to our con- 
tiitULion. and unacknowkd-2;td bv our 



132 THE LIFE OF 

laws; giving his afTent to their a6ls of pre- 
tended legiflatlon. 

" For quartering large bodies of armed 
troops among us. 

" For proteding them, by mock trial, 
from punifhment for any murders which 
they fhould commit on the inhabitants of 
these dates. 

" For cutting off our trade with all 
parts of the world. 

" For impofmg taxes on us without our 
eonfent. 

*' For depriving us, in many cafes, of 
the benefits of trial by jury. 

** For tranfp<)rting us beyond feas tobe 
tried for pretended offences. 

** For abolifhing the free fyftem of Eng- 
liili laws in a neighbouring province, e-' 
ftablifhing therein an arbitrary governmenti 
and enlarging its boundaries, fo as to ren- 
der ii at once an example and fit inttrument 
for introducing the fame abfolute rule in 
thefe colonies. 

*' For taking away our charters^ abolifh, 
ing cur mod: valuable laws, and altering 
fundamentally the forms of our govern- 
menrs^ 

^* For fufpending our ov;n legiflatures, 
and declaring themfelves invefted with 
power to kgiilate for us in all cafes wha^ 
foever. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 153 

*' He has abdicated government here, by 
declaring us out of his proteftion, and wag- 
ing war againft us. 

'' He has plundered our feas, ravaged 
our coafts, burnt our towns, and deftroyed 
the lives of our people. 

" tie is, at this time, tranfporting large 
armies of foreign mercenaries to complete 
the works of death, defolation, and tyranny, 
already begun with circumftances of cruelty 
and perfidy, fcarcely paralleled in the moll 
barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the 
head of a civilized nation, 

"He has conflrained our fellow-citizens, 
taken captive on the high feas, to bear arms 
againft their country, to become the execu- 
tioners of their friends and brethren, or to 
fallthemfelves, by their hands. 

" He has excited domeftic infurredlions 
amongft us, and has endeavoured to bring 
on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the mer- 
cilefs Indian favages, whofe known rule of 
warfare, is an undiflinguifhed deftruftion 
of all age^, fexes, and conditions. 

** In every ftage of thefe opprefTions, wc 
have petitioned for redrcfs in the mod hum- 
ble terms : our repeated petitions have been 
anfwered only by repeated injary. A prince 
whofe charader is thus marked by every 
a6t which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be 
p,e ruler of a free people. 
M 



134 THE LIFE OF 

", Nor have we been wanting in our at- 
tention to our Bi itilh brethren. We have 
warned them fronn time to time of attempts 
made by their legiflature to extend an un- 
warrantable jurifdi6lion over us. We have 
remind ed them of the circurnftances of our 
emigration and fettlement here. We have 
appealed to their native juftice and magna- 
nimity, and we have conjured them by the 
ties of our common kindred, to diiavow 
ihefe ufurpations, which would inevitably 
interrupt our connexions and correfpon- 
dence. They, too, have been deaf to the 
voice of juftice and confanguinity. We 
muft, therefore, acquiefce in thenecelTity 
which denounces our feparation, and hold 
them, as we hold the reft of mankind, ene- 
mies in war — in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the reprefentatives of the 
United States of America, in general con- 
grefs afiembled, appealing to the Supreme 
Judge of the world, for the reditude of 
our intentions, do, in the name, and by the 
authority of the good people of thefe colo- 
nics, folemnly publiih and declare, that 
thefe united colonies aie, and of right, 
ought to be fr^t and independent ftates j — 
that they are abfolved from all allegiance to 
the Britifli crown J — that all political con- 
nexion betv;een them and the ftate ofGreaj. 
Britain, is,, and ought to be, ;ctally difl^jlv ^; 



GEORGE W^ASHINGTON. IS5 

ed; and that, as free and independent ftates, 
rhey have full power to levy war, conclude 
peace, contrad: alliances, eftabiiili conci- 
merce, and to do all other a6ls and things, 
which independent dates may of right do. 
And for the fupport of this declaration, 
with a firm reliance on the protedion of di- 
vine providence, we mutually pledge to 
each other our lives, our fortunes, and our 
facred honour. 

JOHN HANCOCK. 

^^IciV' Hampshire y JohiiBarllet, William Whipple^ 
Ivlattht'w 'I'hornton. 

MassacbuseitS'Baj^ Samuel Adams, John Adam?, 
Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry. 

Hiiode-Islandy i:fc» Stephen Hopkins, William 
EUt-ry. 

Connecticut^ Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, 
William VVilliama, Oliver Walcot. 

New-7'ork^ William Fioyd, Philip Livingston, 
Francis L?\vi«, Lewis Morris. 

New yersej^ Richard Stockton, John Willief- 
fpoon, Francis Hopkinion, John Hart, Abralvam 
Giark, 

Pennsylvania, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rufli^ 
3:^njamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, 
Jtmes Smith, George Taylor, James WiUonj 
George Rofs. 

Delaware^ Cssfar Rcdney, George Reed. 

Maryland,, Jamuel Chair;, William Paca, Thcnias 
Stone, Cha.-les Garrell, of CarroiUon. 

Virginia, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, 
Thomas Jefferfon, Benjamin Harrifon, Thomas 
Neiron,jun. Francis Lightfoot Lee. Crtrti;r Braxtoi^, 



136 THE LIFE OF 

North-Carolina^ Wlllam Hooper, Jofrph Hevres, 
John Penn. 

South-Carolina^ F.cKvard Rutledge, Thomas Hay- 
ward, jun. ThoiVias Lynch, jun. Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia^ Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George 
Walton. 



This folemn renunciation of allegiance to 
Great-Britain was followed by the greateft 
preparatioris for war throughout the United 
States* 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Washington erects forts at Neiv-Tork.... I. abiding of 
the British on Staten and Long Island.. ..Letter 
sent by Howe to general Washington- . ..Washing- 
ton' s reply. .t-Battle of Flat-bw^h..- Washington's 
retreat. ...Committee of Conference.,, .Situation of 

both armies,,.' Neiv-Tork set on fre Battle of 

While -Plains,.., Ill success of the American Army 
„,. Expedition to Canada, 

Washington tookev^ery precau- 
tion for defenfive operations, by ereding 
forts, and Rationing troops at New-York, 
and the moft vulnerable points. 1 he na- 
ture of the country was peculiarly favour- 
able to defence. New-England, efpecially, 
prcfentcd many natural barriers of hills and 
mountains, interfedled by rivers, and inter- 
fperfed with trees, rocks, and precipices; fe^ 
vera! defiles, fkirted by impenetrable woods 



OEORGE WASHINGTON. 187 

and majeftic rivers flowing with impetu- 
ous currents which feemed to bid defiance 
to the invader. 

The firmnefs of congrefs had infpired the 
provincials with enthufiafm. That rcfolute 
body had declared America independent in 
the very face of the Britifh fl«et and army^ 
while the firft was calling anchor in fight 
of New- York, and the reinforcements from 
England were making the fecond landing 
on Staten-Ifland. 

The time was now come when the forti- 
tude and patience of the Americans were 
to undergo a fevere trial. Hitherto they 
had been, on the whole, fuccefsful in their 
operations; but now they were doomed to 
experience misfortune, mif-ry, and difgrace, 
the enemy over-running their country, and 
their own armies not able to face them in 
the field. The province of New- York, as 
b'-ipg the mofl central colony, and moft ac- 
ccfiibie by fea, was pitched upon for the ob- 
jedl of the. main attack. The force fent 
againd- it confided of 6 fhips of the line, 3.0 
frigates, befides other ariried veiTels, and a 
vaft number of tranfporrs. I he fleet was 
commanded bv lord Plowe, and the land 
force? by his^ >i-GtheF geneTal Howe, who 
was now" at Haiifax, Tm latter, however, 
a confiderable cim,e before his broiher a/- 
rived^ had fet fail from Halifax, and*' lay 

M 2 



138 THE LIFE 01* 

before New-York, but without attempting 
hoftilitics until he fliould be joined by his 
brother. The Americans, had, according 
to cuflom, fortified New- York and the ad- 
jacent iOands in an extraordinary manner. 
However, general Howe was fufFcred to 
land his troops on Staten-Ifland, where he 
was joined by a number of tiie inhabitants. 
About the middle of July, lord Howe ar- 
rived v\ith the grand armament ; nnd being 
one of the commiffioners appointed to re- 
ceive the fubmifiion of the colc^nifts, he 
publiflied a circular letter to this purpofe to 
the feverai governors who had lately been 
expelled from their provinces, defiring them 
to make die extent of his comm'fTion, and 
the powers he was inverted with by par la- 
ment, as public as pofllble. Here, how- 
ever, congrefs faved him trouble, by or- 
dering his letter and declaration to be pub- 
lilhed in all the newfpapers, that every one, 
as they faid, might fee the infidioulnefs of 
the Brinfli miiniftry, and that they had 
nothing to truft to btfides the exertion of 
their own valour. 

Lord Howe next fent a letter to general 
Wafhington ; but as it was dire(5led ** To 
George Wafhingior, efq." the general re- 
fufed to, accept of it, as not being diredid 
in the ilyle fL*it\ble to his ftation. To ob- 
vbte th:s objedion, adjutant- general Pat- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 139 

tcrfon was fent with another letter, diiedled 
"To George WalhingtoPj &c. &c. &c.'* 
But though a very polite reception was given 
to the bearer, general Wafliington utterly 
refufed the letter ; nor could any explana- 
tion of the adjutant induce him to accept 
of it. The only interefling part of the 
converfation was that relating to the pow- 
ers of the commilTioners, of which lord 
Howe was one. The adjutant told hinn, 
that thefe powers were very extenfive ; that 
the commifTioners were determined to ex- 
ert themfelves to the utmoft, in order to 
bring about a reconciliation ; and that he 
hoped the general would coniider this vifit 
cs a ftep towards it. General Walhington 
replied, that it did not appear that thefe 
powers confided in any thing elfe than grant- 
ing pardons ; and as America had commit- 
ed no offence, fhe afl^ed no forgivenefs, 
and was only defending her unqueilionable 
right. 

The decifion of every thing being now 
by the confent of both parties left to the 
fword, no time was loft, but hoflilities com- 
menced as foon as the Britifh troops could 
be collrilcd. This, however, was not 
done bt f )re the month of Auouft, when 
they landed, without any oppofirion, on 
Long- (land, oppofite to the fliore on Sta- 
ten-Iiland. General Putnam, with a large 



140 THE LIFE OF 

body of troops, lay encamped and llrongiy 
fortified on a peninfnla on the oppc.fite fliore, 
with a range of hills between the armies, the 
principal pafs of which was near a place 
called Flat-bufli. Here the centre of the 
Britifh army, confiiling of Htflians, took 
poftj the left wing, under general Grant, ly- 
ing near the fhorei and the righr, connfting 
of the greater past of the Bririlh forces, lay 
under lord Percy, Cornwallis, and general 
Clinton. General Putnam had ordertd tlie 
pafies to be fecured by large detatchments, 
which was executed as to thofc at hand j but 
one of the utmoR importance that lay at a 
diflance, was entirely negleded. This gave 
an opportunity to a large body of troops un- 
der lord Percy and Clinton to pafs the 
mountains and attack the Americans in the 
rear, while they were engaged with the Hef- 
fi an s in front. 

Through this piece of negligence their de- 
feat became inevitable. Thofe who were 
engaged with the Heiuans firil perceived 
•their midake, and began a retreat towards 
their camp -, but the paiTage was interfcept- 
ed by the Biitifli troops, who drove them 
back into the woods. Hcie they were m.et 
by the HtiTians ; and thus were they for 
many hours flaughtered between the two 
parties, no way of efl:ape remained but by 
breaking through the Britifh troops, and thus 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 141 

regaining their camp. In this attempt ma - 
ny periihed j and the right wing, engaged 
with general Grant, (hared the fame fate. — 

Wafhington had crofled over from New- 
York in the height of the engagement, but 
he came too late to retrieve the fortune of 
the day. He had the m^ortification to fee 
fomeof his bed troops killed or taken, with- 
out being able to afford them any afTiftance, 
but he ufed his utmod exertions to fave thofe 
that remained, by a well-conduded retreat. 

The vidlory wascomplete; the Americans 
loil upwards of three thoufand men, includ- 
ing two thoufand killed^ and eleven hundred 
taken prifoners, among whom were three 
generals. On the fide of theBritiih,thelofs 
in killed and wounded was only about three 
hundred. Among the provincials who fd], 
a regiment from Maryland was particularly 
.regretted. It confided wholly of young men 
of the bed families in that province. They 
behaved with the mod admirable heroifm, 
were every man killed or wounded, and thus 
pcriflied in the bloom of youth. 

After this defeat, Wafhington, though 
naturally intrepid, did not think it expedient 
to rifk another action againft a numerous 
army of veterans, well provided with artill- 
ery, and elated with their recent vi(5lory. 
In the night of the 29th, of Augud, favour- 
ed by darknefs, and in the mod profound fu 



142 THE LIFE OF 

knee, he conveyed his troops on board the 
boars, and landed themoothe oppofite fhore. 

Soon after this retreat, the city ofNew- 
Yoi k w «s attacked by the Engiifh army, and 
Wafhington was compelled to retreat to the 
pafs of King's Bridge. 1 he Americans Sif- 
terwards retired to a mountainous tra6l of 
country, it being the wilh of their general to 
adb on the defenfive. 

The vidory, though complete, was very 
far from being fo decifive as the conquerors 
imagined. Lord Howe, fuppofing that it 
would be fofficient to intimidate the con- 
grefs into fome terms, fent general Sullivan, 
who had been taken prrfoner in the late ac- 
tion, tocongrefs, with a mefTage, impoiting, 
that though he could not conftantly treat 
with them as a legal aflembly, yer he could 
be very gsad to confer with any of the mem- 
bers in their private capacity ; fetting forth 
at the fame time the nature and extent of 
iiis powers as commiffioner. But tfie con- 
grefs were not as yet fufficiently humbled to 
derogate in the ieail from the dignity aifum- 
€d. rhey replied, that the congrefs of the 
fcQC and independentftates of America could 
not confiilendy fend any of its members in 
another capacity than that which they had 
publicly affumed ; but as they were extreme- 
ly defirous of refhoring peace to their coun- 
try upon equitable conditions, they v^ould 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 143 

appoint a committee of their body to wait 
upon him, and learn what propofals he had 
to make 

T his produced a new conferrence. The 
committee appointed by congrefs was com- 
pofed of Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, and 
Mr. Rutledge. They were politely receiv- 
ed by his lordihlp ; but the conference prov- 
ed as fruitlefs as before independency had 
been declared ; and the final anfvver of the 
deputies was, that they were willing to en- 
ter iato any treaty with Great Britain that 
might conduce to the good of both nations, 
but that they would not treat in any other char- 
ad er than thic of independent flatrs. This 
pofitive declaration inflantly put an end to 
all hopes of reconciliation ; and it was re- 
folved to profecute the war with the utmoil 
vigour. Lord Howe, after publifhing a 
manifefto, in which he declared the refufal 
of congrefs, and that he himfelF was willing 
to confer with all well difpoled perfons a- 
bout the means of refloring public tranquil- 
ity, fet about the mod proper methods for 
reducing the city of New-Yoik, Here the 
provincial troops were pofted, and from a 
great number of batteries kept continually 
annoying the Britifli iliipping, The eaft 
river lay betv^^een thern, of about 1200 yards 
in breadth, which the Britifh troops were 
jl, extremely dcfirous of pafilng. At lafl, the 

1 



144 THE LIFE Of 

fhips having, afor an inceflant cannonade 
of feveral days, filenced the m^fl trouble- 
fome batteries, a body of troops was fenc 
up the river to a bay, about three miles dift- 
ant, where the fortifications were lefs (Irong 
than in other places. H'^re, having driven 
oft' the provincials by the cannon of the 
fleet, they marched diredlly towards the 
city 5 but the Americans finding they fhould 
now be attacked on all fides, abandoned the 
city, and retired to the north of the ifland, 
where their principal force was colleded. 
In their pafiage thither they fkirmifhed with 
the Britifh, but carefully avoided a general 
engagement. 

The Britifli and provincial armies were 
not now above two miles diftant from each 
other. The former lay encamped from 
fhore to fliorc, for an extent of two miles, 
being the breadth of the ifland, which, 
though nearly fifteen miles long, exceeds 
not three in any part of its breadth. The 
provincials, who lay diredtly oppofite, had 
firengthened their camp with many fortifi- 
cations i at the fame time, being maftt^rs of 
all the pafles and defiles betwixt the two 
camps, they were enabled to defend them- 
lelves againlt an army much more numer- 
ous than their own; and they had alfo 
ftronly fortified a pafs called King's-bridge, 
whence they could fecure a paffage to: i? 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 145 

continent in cafe of any nnisfortune. Here 
general Wafhington, in order to inure the 
provincials to adlual fervice, and at the fame 
time to annoy the enemy as much as pofTi- 
ble, employed his troops in continual fkir- 
milhes ; by which it was obferved that they 
foon recovered their fpirits, and behaved 
with their ufual boldnefs. 

As the fituatioii of the two armies was 
now highly inconvenient for the Britifh ge- 
nerals, it was refolved to make fuch move- 
ments as mi^ht oblio;e o;eneral Wafliino-ton 
to relinquifh his (Irong fituation. The pof- 
feflion of New-York had bcren lels benefi- 
cial than was expeded. It wasfaid to have 
been intended by the Americans that the 
citv iliould be burnt at the time of the eva- 
cuation ; but as they were forced to depart 
v^ith precipitation, thev were prevented 
from putting the fchemc in execution. In a 
few days, hovv'ever, it was aulually fct on 
fire, and as the wind was at that time vtrj 
high, and the w-eather had for i'ome time 
been remarkably dry, nocv/ithilanding the 
pnofl: acl've exerdons of the {oldkry and 
failors, a iburlh part of the city wnz con- 
fumed. 

It was no A' determined to force the pro- 
vincial armv to a nrreater dillancc. P^orthis 
purpofe, general Howe, having left lord 
Percy v/ith 1 uffici en t force to o-arrifan New- 



146 THE LIfl OF 

York, he embarked his army in flat-bot- 
tomicd boats, by which they were convey- 
ed through the dangerous pafTage called 
Htll-gate, and landed near the town of Weft 
Chefter, lying on the continent towardsCon- 
nedicut. Here, having received a full iup- 
ply of men and provifions, they moved to 
NeW'Rochelle, fituated on the found which 
ieparates Long-iHand from tile continent. 
After this, receiving {till frefh reinforce- 
ments, they made Rich movements as threat- 
ened to diflr^Is the provincials very much, 
by cutting off tnci? convoys of provifions 
from. Conneclicur, and thus force them to an 
engagement. This, however, general Wafli- 
ington determined at all events to avoid. 
J^e therefore extended his forcrs into a long 
line cnnofite lo tl e wsv in which the ene- 
my marc; ltd. Mtre again the provincials 
continued for fome i;n:c to annoy and fkir- 
milb Vv'ith the Britifli armjv, until, at lad, by 
jomeotiier rnanceuvres, tlie Eritifli general 
found me.in ~:K:k thtm advantageoufly 

at a place c.\,. _■ White- Plains, and drove 
then* fi-o;n f-me of theii- pods. 1 he victory 
on tills occafion was much lefs complete 
than the former ; how'ever, it (/oliged the 
provincials once more to fnifc their ground, 
and to retreat farther up the country. Gen- 
eral Howe purfued for fome time, but 
3t l\ft Ending all his endeavours vain to 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 147 

bring the Americans to a pitched battle, he 
determined to give over fuch an ufel^fs 
chafe, and, employ himfrif in reducing the 
forts which the provincials fcill retaneJ in 
the neighbourhood of Nevv^-York. In this 
he met with the mod complete fuccefs. 
The Americans, on the approach of the" 
Britifh forces, retreated from King*s-Bndge 
into Fort-Wafliingcon ; and thus as well as 
Fort Lee, which lay in the neighbourhood, 
was quickly reduced, though the garrif^n 
made their efcape- Thus the Jerfeys were 
laid entirely open to the incuriions of the 
Britiili troops, and fo fully v/ere thefe pro- 
vinces taken poiTenion of by the Britilli ar- 
my, that its winter-quarters extended from 
New-Drunfvvick to the Delaware. Had 
any number of boats been at hand, it is pro- 
bable that Philadelphia Would have fallen 
into their hands. All thefe, however, had 
btcn cardfuliy removed by the Americans. 
In lieu of this enterprize. Sir Henry Clin- 
ton undertook an expedition to Rhode- 
Ifland, and became mafter of i': without 
lofing a man. His expedition was alfo at- 
tended with this future advantage, that the 
American fleet under commodore Hopkins, 
was obliged to fail as far as pofilble up 
Providen^:e river, and thus remained en- 
tirely ufeiefs., 

Itie fame ill fuccefs ro.uti nor d tQ attend 



148 THE LITE OF 

the Americans in other parts. After their 
expulfion from Canada, they hah crolTed 
the lake Champlain/ and taken up their 
quarters at Crown-Point. Here they re- 
mained for fome time in fafety, as the Bri- 
tilh had no veiTels on the lake, and confe- 
quently general Burgoyne couki not purfue 
•them. To remedy this deficiency, there 
was no polTible method, but either to con- 
firudt veffels on the fpor, or to take to.picces 
fome veifds already conllruilcd, and drag 
them iip the river into the lake. This, 
however, was effe(5led in no longer a Ipace 
than three months i and the Britifh general/^. 
after incredible toil and difficuky, law him- 
felfin poiTelTion of a great number of veiTels, 
by which means he was abk- to puifue his 
enemies, and invade them in li is turn. The 
labour undci gone at this time by the fea and 
hnd forces muft indeedTsavc been prodigi- 
ous j fince they were conveyed over land, 
and dragged up the rapids of St. Lavv'rence, 
no fewer than thirty large long-boats, 4G0^ 
baiteaux, befides a vail; number of l]at bot- 
tomed boats, and a gondola of thirty tons. 
The iiitent of the expedition was to pufh 
forward, before winter, to Albany, where 
the army would take up its winter-quarters, 
and next fpring efFe6l a junflion with that 
under general Plowe, when it Vv^as not doubt- 
ed that the united force and fl<:ill of thele 



G^EORGE WASHINGTON-. V^^ 

two commanders would fpeedily put a ter° 
rtiination to the war. 

By reafon of the diilicukies v;ith which 
the equipment of this fleet had. been attend- 
ed, it was the beginning of 0(ftober before 
the expedition could be undertaken. It 
was now, however, allowed by every judge 
to be completely able to anfwer every pur- 
pofe for which it was intended. Itconfifted 
of one large vefiel, with three mails, carry- 
18 twelve pounders ; two fchooners, the 
>ne carrying 14, the other 12 fix-pounders ; 
i large (lat--bottomed' radeau with 6 twen^ 
ty-four and 6 twelve-pounders ; and a gon- 
dola with 8 nine-poundrrs. Eefides thefc, 
vcre 20 vellels of "a fmaller fize, called gun- 
boats, carrying each a piece of brafs ord- 
nince from nine to fourteen-poundtrs, or 
ovviczcrs. Several h ng-bouts were fitted 
;ut in the fame manner; and befides all 
i.hi:{ey there was a vail number of boats and 
iienders of various fizes, to bv" u fed as tranf- 
ports for the troops and ba.igage. It was 
^iianned by a number of fele-ft fcam.eti, and 
iie guns were to be feivtd by a detach- 
ment from the corps (>( artillery : the of- 
ficers and foidiers appointed for this expedi- 
tion were alfo chofen out of the whole 
army. 

To oppofe this formidable armaments 
^the Ameiicans had only a very incynfider- 

N Q. 



150 THE LIFE OF 

nblc force, commanded by general Arnold ; 
who, after engaging part of die Britifli fleet 
for a Vv'hole day, took advantage of the 
darknefs of the night, to fet fail without 
being perceived, and next morning was out 
of fight 5 but he was fo hotly purfued by 
the Britifh, that, on the fecond day after, 
he was overtaken, and forced to a fecond en- 
gagement. In this he behaved with great 
gallantry ; but his force being very inferior 
to that of the enemy, he was obliged to run 
his ihips afhore and fet them on fire. A 
few only efcaped to lake George ; and the 
garrifon of Crown-Point having deftroyed 
or carried offevery thing of value, retired 
to Ticonderoga. Thither general Carleton 
intended to have purfued thcmj but the 
difficukifs he had to encounter appeared fo 
many and fo great, that it was thought pro- 
per to march back into Canada, and de- 
iift from any further operations till next 
fpring. 



T5E0RGE WASHINGTON. 151 



CHAPTER XX. 

State of ajfairs glcomy.., .General Lee taken- ..Pro- 
clamatijn of Congress.. ..Army re'c rutted... Situa- 
tion of the British army ....General Washington's 
attempt to relieve Philadelphia. ...Capture of the 

Hessians Return to Philadelphia, ..Battle at 

Trent on,,. General IVasJiington's retreat to Prince- 
ton.. ..The retreat of the British to Brunswick, 
^.,.End of the campaign of \'t7<o. 



T 



HE affairs of the Americans now feemed 
every where going to wreck, and even thofe 
who had been mod fanguine in the caufe 
began to waver. The time, alio, for which 
the fbldiers had enhfted thcmlelves was now 
expired j and the bad fucccfsof the preced- 
ing campaign had been To very difcourag- 
ing, that no perfon was willing co engage 
himielf during the continuance of a war, of 
which the event feemed to be fo doubtful. 
In confequence of this, therefore, general 
VVafhingco.n found his army daily decreafing 
in ftrength ; fo that from 30,000, of whom 
it confided when general Howe landed on 
Staten-lfland, fcarce a tenth-part could now 
be mudered. To afTid the chief com- 
mander as much as poQible, general Lee 
had colledled a body of forces in the north j 
but on his way fouthward, having impru- 
dently taken up his lodging at feme diilaace 



3 52 THE LIFE OF 

from his troops, information was given to 
colonel Haicoiirt, who happened at that 
time to be in the neighbourhood, and Lee 
was made prifoner. 1 he lofs of this gene- 
ral was much regretted, the more efpecialiy, 
as he was of fuperior quality to any prifoner 
in' the poffefiion of the colonifts, and could 
not therefore be exchanged. And the con 
grefs was highly irritated at its being report- 
ed that he was to be treated as a deferter, 
having been a half- pay officer in the Britifh 
fervice at the commencement of the war. 
In coiifequence of this, they ifiiied a pro- 
clamation, threatening to retaliate on the 
prifoners in their j^ofleinon whatever punifii- 
ment fiiouki be infiicled on any of thofe 
taken by the Britirn,and efpeciaily that their 
conduct f]K)i!ld be legulated by the treat- 
m.ent of general Lee. 

In the mean limic, they proceeded with 
the mod indtfarigable diligence to reciuit 
their army, which, for th-e cnfmng cam- 
paign, was defigned to conHft of 88 battali- 
ons ; of v;hich each province was to con- 
tribute his quota i and 20 dollars were of- 
fered as a bounty to eat h foldier, befides an 
emolument of lands at the end of the war. 
In this allormrnr it was itipulattd, thai 
cch foldier iliould have ICO ucres ; an en- 
fignlBO ; a lieutenant 200 ; a captain 300 i 
a major 400 i a licutcnant-colonei 450 -, and 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 153 

a colonel 500. No lands were promifed 
to thofe who enlifted only for three years. 
To defray the expenfe, congrefs borrowed 
five millions of dollars at five per cent ; 
for payment of which the United States be- 
came furety. 

The Britifh army now occupying a chain 
of towns and villages through the heart of 
the Jerseys, and having extended their quar- 
ters into feveral places in the vicinity of Phil- 
adelphia, general Wailiington refolved to 
make feme attempts on thofe divifions that 
lay nearell tiiat city, and, if poffible, relieve 
it from the danger to which it was expofed. 

A corps of Hefilans lay at Trenton ; an- 
other at Bordenton, iovn^ miles lower; and 
;i third at Burlington. Thefe towns were on 
the oppofite bank of the Delaware, and the 
lafc withiii twenty miles of Philadelphia. 

General VVafhington, by a mafterly entero 
prize (worthy of hirnfelf, ; furrounded the 
HefTian troops on the 25th of December, 
1776, when che v/hole corps, to the num.ber 
of one thoufand men, laid down their aims. 
Pie then croiTed the Delaware and returned 
with the prifoenrs to Philadelphia, after v,/hich 
he repaired the river and took pofTeflion of 
Trbhton. Several detachments of the Brit- 
ifli afTcmbled at Princeton, where they were 
joined by the army from Brunfwlck, com- 
manded by lord Cornwallis. This general 



154 THE LIFE or 

now marched to Trenton, and attacked the 
Americans on the ..2d of January, 1777, at 
four o'clock in the afternoon. The van- 
guard of the Americans was compelled to re- 
treat, but the purfuing enemy was checked 
by fome field-pieces which were poUed on 
the oppofiie bank of Sanpink Creek. 1 hus 
two armies, on which the fuccefs or failure of 
the American revolution depended,' were 
crowded into Trenton, and only fc^pa- 
rated by a creek, in many places fordable. 
TheBriiiili army difcontinusd their opera- 
tions, and lay on their arms in readinefs to 
make another attack next morning. Mean- 
while Wafhingtonordered the baggage to be 
filently removed, and having left fires and 
patroles in liis camp to deceive the enemy., 
he led oil t/h army, during the obfcuricy of 
• night, and by a circuitous route reached 
Piincetown.^ 

On thc;r approach to Prncetown, the 
centre of the Americans was charged by a 
party of the Britifli troops, and co:npelled to 
retreat. In this einergency, Vvafliington 
rode forward ; he placed hi mfelf between his 
£ying troops and the enemy. The Ame- 
ricans, encouraged by his exhortations and 
example, rallied and attacked the Britilh in 
turn J and though Wafhington was for fome 
moments between two fires, he providen- 
tially efcaped without a wound. During 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 155 

this conteR, the Britifh troops difplaycd the 
mod invincible valour. One of the three 
reginnents, comnnanded by colonel Maw- 
hood, undifmayed by the fiiperiority of the 
i\mrricans in point of nunnbers, charged 
them with their bayonets, forced their way 
through their ranks, and marched forwards 
to Maidenhead ^ the other two regiments 
retired in excellent order, and retreated to 
Brunfwick. 

The BritiPn general was fo much difcon- 
csrted at tliefe unexpe6led manoeuvres of 
Wafhington, that he evacuated Trenton, 
and retired with his whole force to Brunf- 
Vv^ick. 

Thus, in the fpaceof one month, all that 
part of Jerftv that lies between Brunfwick 
and Delaware ^v^s overrun by the Britifli 
troops, and recovered by the Arr.ericans. 
Vv^afliingron Harioned troops in all the im- 
portant places which he had regained,'and 
the campaign of 1776 clofed v,ith few ad- 
vantages to the Britifh arms, exceri: tlic ac- 
quif;:ion of New- York. 



156 THE LIFE tf 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Campaign of \777 ,»,. British Jleet sails for the Chcs- 
a peak. . ..lVas}iingtun marches to Philadtlphia-.,* 
Battle of Brandynvine Creek. ..Washington's letter 
to congress.. ..Congress removes to Pbiladelpbia^ 
llfc..,.Hoioc enters Philadelphia.. .Reinforcement 
sent to Washington. ...Burgoyne taken at Saratoga 
..,. Clinton's expedition on the Hudson. ... Vaughn' s 
attack. 



Ti 



HE recruits fupplied by the fcveral pro- 
vinces, in the fpring of the year, 1777, leli 
ihort of the intended number ; ytrt, while 
the BritiOi troops v;ere detained at New- 
York, Wafliington received niunerous re- 
inforcements. He now moved fjom his 
winter-encampment at Morris- town to the 
high lands round Middle- Brook, in the vi; 
cinity of Brunfwick. In this fliong pofition 
he threw up works along the fiont of his 
lines, but his principal .advantage was the 
di/Bculty to approach his camp, the ground 
bt^ing fo judiciouily occupied as to expofe 
the enemy \o every kind of danger in an at- 
tack. On the one fide, he co\x-ied the 
Jerkvsj zn^ on the oihtr he obferved the 
motions of the Britiili army at Brunfwick, 
of which he coinmanded a full profped. 

Many (Iratagems were employed by the 
Briiiih general to draw Wafhingtcn from 



GEORGE WASHII^GTON. 157 

his ftrong fituation, but without cfFe<fl, fo 
that it was found neceflary to make an at- 
tempt on Philadelphia by Tea, 

On the 23d of July, theBritifh fleet fail- 
ed from Sandv-Hook, with thirty fix bat- 
talions of Britiih and Hefiian infantry, a re- 
giment of light dragoons, and a corps of 
American loyalifts, on board, for Philadel- 
phia, but in confequence of the freihet in the 
river, were obliged to alter their plan, and 
fail for the Chefapeak. After a tedious na- 
vigation, the fleet entered Chefapeak-Bayj 
and was conduded as far up the river Elk as 
was pradlicable. JEIere the army landed with- 
out oppofition on the 25th of AugulL Part 
of the troops was left to guard the fl:ores, 
while general Howe proceeded with the 
main body to the head of the Elk. 
. When Wafhington received information 
that the Britifh fleet had failed up the Che- 
fapeak, he marched with all poflible expe- 
dition to the defence of Philadelphia. His 
army, amounting to fourteen thoufand men, 
paflTed through that city to meet the Britifh 
forces, which confifted of fifteen thoufand. 
He encamped on the Brandy- wine creek, 
about midway from the Elk to Philadelphia, 
and fent detachments to harrafs the Britifli 
army on their march. 

On the approach of the enemv 
inqton retired to the fide of the c 
O 



15S THE LIFE (XF 

Philadelphia, with a determination to dif- 
pute the paflfage. On the 11th of Septem- 
ber, the army advanced to tfie attack, at 
day-break, and after a well-contefted battle 
which lafted till night, the Americans were 
defeated with the lofs of one thoiifand killed 
and wounded, befides four hundred taken 
prifoners. On the fide of the conquerors, 
the lofs did not exceed five hundred. The 
vi6lory was fo complete, that darknefs alone 
prevented the purfuit, and confequent de- 
ftru6lion or capture of the whole American 
army. 

The gretefl: valour had been difplayedby 
the officers and foldiers on both fides. 

Immediately after the battle, the Ame- 
ricans reti-ed to Chefler, whence Wafhing- 
ton wrote an account of his defeat to the 
prefid^nt of congrefs. His letter is dated 
twelve o'clock at flight, and is, perhaps, 
the liaoft faithful pidlure ever given of the 
refle6tions of a great mind amid difafber and 
difficulty. His troops, though defeated, 
were not dHpirited, and they confidered 
their misfortune rather as the confequence 
of fuperjor fkill on the ilde of their ene- 
mies, than as proceeding from any defeat of 
valour on theirs. 

Congrefs, which had returned from Bal- 
timore to Philadelphia, were now obliged 
to retire a fecond time. They went firft 



CEORGE WASHINGTON. 159 



V 



to Lancafter, and afterwards to Yoik- 
town. 

General Howe, at the head of the van- 
guard of his army, entered Ph'ladelpbia 
in tiinnnph, on the 26th of September, and 
the main body of the Biitifli army encamp- 
ed in the vicinity of that city. The Ame- 
rican army was pofteci at Skippach creek, 
fixtcen miles dillant. 

When th^ news that Philadelphia was 
in pofTefTion ol the Britifli army reached the 
northern colonies, they ft^nt a reinforcement 
of four thoufand of their bed men to Wafh- 
ington. On their arrival he advanced v^ ith^ 
in fourteen miles of the ciry, and fixed 
himfelf in a (Irong encampment at White- 
Marfh. 

7 hus, upon the whole, the campaign of 
1777, in Pcnnfylvania, concluded fuccefs- 
fully on the part of the Britifli. In the 
north, however, matters wore a different 
afped. The expedition, in thi-s quarter, had ^ 
ieen projeded by the Britifli minifl;ry as 
the mofl: effectual method that could be tak« 
en to crufli the colonies at once. The four 
provinces of New-England originally begun 
the confederacy againfl Britain, and were 
ftili confidered as the mod adtive in the 
continuation of itj and it was thought^ 
that any impreflTion made upon them woild 
Gonuibute in an effedual manner to ih^ r^ 



1 

I 

160 THE LIPE OF \ 

dudllon of the red". For this purpofe, an I 
army of four thoufand chofen Britifli troops^ : 

•and three thouland Germans were put un- ] 

der the command of general Burgoyne ; ? 

general Carleton was directed to ufe his I 

intereft with the Indians to perfiiade them -1 

to join in this expedition ; and the province j 
of Quebec was to furnilli large parties to 
join in the fam.e. 

On tlie twenty -fir ft: cf June, 1777, the 
army encamped on the v»'eftern fide of the 

lake Champlain } where, being joined by a | 

confiderable body of Indians, general Bur- 3 

goyne iifued a proclamation, in which the , 

force of Britain, and that which he com- j 

manded was ftt forth in very ofl'ent^tious f^ 

term.s, and the campaign opened with tht; ] 

fiege of Ticonderoga. The place was very 1 

llrong, and garrifoned by fix thoofand men J 

under general Sinclair^ neverthelels, th^ ] 

works were fo extenfive. that even this i 

number was not fufficient to defend them ■ 

properly. The confequence was, that the ''' 

Americans, at lafl:, loft two hundred boats, '] 

one hundred and thirty pieces of cannon, [ 

with all their provifions and baggage. \ 

General Burgoyne was, however, from : 
ieveral difaflers which his army had experi- 
cnqed in different fkirmiifhes obliged to {uf- 
pend his operations for fome time, and 

wait at Skenefborough for the arrival of hi^ ! 



<?E^ROE WASHINGTON. H 

tent, provifions, &c. but employed thi~ 
interval in making roads through the coun- 
try, and in clearing a paiTage for his troopii 
to proceed againft the enemy. This was at- 
tended with incredible toil ; but all ob- 
ftacles were furmounted by the patience and 
refolution of the army. Infhort, after un- 
dergoing the utmoft difficulty, he arrived 
with his army, before fort Edward, about 
the end of July. Here general Schuyler 
had been for feme time endeavouring to re- 
cruit the fnattered American forces, in 
which he was conliderably fuccefsful. 

General Burgoyne in the mean time, not- 
withftanding all the difficulties he had fus»- 
tained, found that he mufl: flill encounter 
more. The roads he had made with fo much 
labour and pains were deRroyed either by the 
wetnefs of the Teafon, or by the enemy ; ib 
that the provifions he had brought from fort 
George could not arrive at his camp without 
the moft prodigious toil. To remedy this 
want of provifions it was propofed to reduce 
4he provincial magazines at Bennington. — 
For this purpofe, colonel Baum, a German 
officer of great bravery, was c'hofen with a 
t)ody offive himdied men. The place was 
about twenty miles from HuJfon'*s River ^ 
and to fupport colonel Baum*s party, the 
whole ai my marched up the river's bank, and 
•Cijc^mjped alinoft oppofucSaratogaj withcb 
02 



16i^ THE LIFE m 

rir/er betwixt it and that place. An a<i- 
v^/nced party was polled at Batten-kill^ be- 
tyveen the camp and Bennington, in order to 
jfupport colonel Baum. In their way the 
Britifii feized a large fupply of cattle and pro- 
vifions, which were immediately fcnt to the 
camp i but the badnefs of the roads retarded 
their march fo much, that intelligence oftheir 
defign was fent to Bennington. Underfband- 
ing now that the American force was greatly 
fupericr to his own, the colonel acquainted 
the general, who immediately difpatchtd co- 
lonel Breyman with a party to his afilflance i 
but through the fame caufes that had retard- 
ed the march of colonel Baum, this afHs- 
tance could not arrive in time. General 
-Starke, in the meantime, who commanded 
at Bennington, determined to attack the two 
parties feperately ; and for this purpofe ad- 
vanced Jigainfl" colonel Baum, whom he fur- 
rounded on all fides and attacked with the ut» 
mofi; violence. The troops defended them- 
felves with great valour, but were to a man 
either killed or taken. Colonel Breymanj 
after a dcfperate engagement^ had the good 
]uck to effe6l-a retreat through the darknefs 
of the night, which he otherwife could not 
have done, as his men had expended all their 
ammunition being forty rounds each. 

General Burgoyne, thus difappointed iir 
his atterript on^Bennington, applied hiir.fe If 



F 



-G1E0RGE WASHINGTON. i6S 



with indefatigible diligence to procure pro- 
vifions from fort George ; and having at 
length amaiTed a iiuliGient quintiiy to laft 
for a month, he threw a bridge of boats over 
the river Fludfon, which he eroded about 
the middle of September, encam.ping on the 
hills and plains near Saratoga. As foon as 
he approached the provincial army, at this 
time encamped at Stillwater under general 
Gates, he determined to make an attack; 
for which purpofe he put himfelf at the 
head of the central divifion of his arm.y, 
having gen. Frafer and col. Breyman on the 
right, with generals Reidefel and Philips on 
the left. In this pontion he advanced towards 
the enemy on the 19th of Sept. But the 
Americans did not wait to be attacked j on 
the contrary, they attacked the central divi« 
fion with the utmofl: violence -, and it was 
not until general Philips with the artillery 
came up that they could be repulfcd. On 
this occafion, though the Britifh troops loft 
only 3S0 in killed and wounded, and their 
opponents no fewer than 15C0, the former 
were very much alarmed at the obiiinate re- 
folutions fhewn by the Americans, This 
did not, however, prevent them from ad- 
vancing tov/ards the enemy, and pofling 
themfelves the next day within cannon flioc 
of their lines. But their allies the Indians 
began to defer t in great numbers ; -aud ar 



164 THE LIFE OF 

the fame time the general was in the higheft 
degree mortified by having no intelligence of 
any affiftance from sir Henry Clinton, as had 
been ftipulated. He now received a letter 
from him, by which he was informed that 
sir Henry, intended to make a diverfion on 
the North-river in his favour. This afford- 
ed but little comfort, however he returned an 
anfwer by ieveral trufty perfons, whom he 
difpatched different ways, dating his prefent 
diftrefied fituation, and mentioned that th€ 
provifionsand other necelfaries he had, could 
cnly enable him to hold out to the 12th of 
Oftober. 

Burgoyne's army, in the me^n time con- 
tinued to labour under thegreated diflrtfTes^ 
fo that in the brginning of Odober he had 
-been obliged to diminifh tjie foldiers allow- 
ance. On the 7th of that month be deter- 
mined to move towards the enemy. For 
this purpc fe he fent a body of 1500 men to 
reconnoitre their left wing; intending, if pos- 
fible, tobieak through ic in order to ededa 
retreat. T he detaclin^ent, ht^wever, had hot 
proceeded far when a dreadful attack was 
unade upon the left wing of the Biitifli army, 
which was with great diilicuky preferved 
from being entirely broken by a reinforce- 
ment brought up by general Frafcr, who was 
killed in the ?ttc'ck. /\fter the troops h.d 
%iih the moft dd^^er^te efToi'ts regained ilicii: 



r 

S camp 



CEORG^. WASHINGTON. 165 



camp, it was mofl furioiifly afTauked by gen- 
eral Arnold ; ^^ho, notwithdanding all oppo- 
fition, would have forced the entrenchments, 
had he not received a dangerous wound, 
whrch obliged him to retire. Thus the at- 
tack failed on the left, but on the right the 
camp of the Gerrr.an referve was forced, co- 
lonel Breyman killed, and his countrymen 
defeated with great Oaughter and the lofs of 
ail their artillery and baggage. 

This was b\ far the heaviefl lofs the Bri- 
tifh army had fuftained fince the a(51ion ac 
Bunkers-Hill. The lid of killed and wound- 
ed amounted to nearly 1200, exclufive of 
the Germans ; but the greateft misfortune 
was, that the Amiericans had now an open- 
ing on the right and rear of the Britifii forces 
fo that the aim>y was threatened with entire 
(leflrudion. This obliged general Bur- 
goyne once m:ore to fnift his pofition, that 
the enemy might alfo be obliged to alter 
theirs. This was accomplifhed on tlie; 
night of the 7th, without, any lofs, and 
all the next day he continued to offer the 
enemy battle ; but they were now too well 
affured of a complete vidory, by cutting 
off all fupplies from the Britifh, to ri{k a 
pitched batde. Wherefore they advanced 
on the right fide, in order to enclofe him 
entirely ; which obliged the general to direct 
a retreat towards Saratoga. 



1^ . THE LIFE «F 

In the mean time, the boats which con- 
veyed provifions down Hudfon's river, were 
^xpofed to the continual fire of the Ame- 
ricans, who took many of them : fo that it 
became ncceffary to convey the provifions 
over land. In this extreme danger, it was 
refolved to march by night to fort Edward, 
forcing the paflages at the fords either above 
or below the place j and in order to effedl 
this the more eafily, it was refolved that the 
foldicrs (hould carry their provifions on their 
backs, leaving behind their baggage and 
every other incumbrance. But before this 
could be executed, intelligence was received 
that the enemy had raiftd lliong entrench- 
ments oppofite to thtle fords, well provid- 
ed with cannon, and that they had likewife 
taken pofleflion of the rifing ground be- 
tween fort George and fort t dward, which 
in like manner was provided with cannon. 

All this time, the American army was 
increafing by the continual arrival of militia 
and volunteers from* all parts. Their par- 
ties extended all along the oppofite bank of 
Hudfon's river, and lome had even paft it, 
in order to obferve the laft movement of the 
Britifli army. On this occafion, Burgoyne 
was reduced to fo extremt* a ftate of diltrefs, 
that when on the evening of the 13th of Oc- 
tober, an inventory of piovifions was taken, 
k was fgund that no more remained thaa 



) 
GEORGE WASHINGTGK. l&J 

what were fufficient to ferve for three days; 
and a council of war being now called, it 
was unanimoufly determined that there was 
no method now remaining but to treat with 
the enemy. In confequence of this> a nego» 
ciation was opened next day, which fpeedily 
terminated in a capitulation of the whole 
Britifh army. The number of thofe who 
furrendered at Saratoga, amounted to 5,750, 
the lift of fick and wounded left in the camp 
when the army retreated to Saratoga, to 
528; and the number of thofe loft by other 
accidents CmcQ the taking of Ticonderoga, 
to near 3000. Thirty- five brafs field pieces, 
fcven thoufand (land of arms, cloathing for 
an equal number of foldiers, with the tentsj 
military cheft, &c. conftituted the booty 
on this occafion. 

Sir Henry Clinton, in the mean time, 
had failed up the north river, and deftroved 
the two forts called Montgomery and Clin- 
ton, with fort Conftitution, and another 
place called Continental Village, where 
were barracks for 2000 men. Several large 
cannons were all^3 carried away, befidcs a 
nuiiiber of fmaller artillery, and a great 
quantity of (lores and ammunition. On this 
occafion, the lofs of the Britifh was tri- 
fling. 

Another attack was made by sir James 
Wallace, with fome frigates, and a body of 



168 FHE LIFE OF 

land forces under general Vanghan. The 
place which nowfuffered was named Efopus: 
the fortifications were deftroyed, and the 
town itfelf was reduced to afhes, as that 
called Continental Village had been be- 
fore. 

But thefe fucceffes, of v/hatever import- 
4^nce th'^y might be, were now difregarded 
by both parties. They ferved only to irri- 
tate the Americans, flufhed with their fuc» 
cefs ; and they were utterly infufficient to 
raife the fp-rits of the Britifh, who were now 
thrown into the utmoft difmay. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Treaty with France. ..,Negnciations ivitk Spain, .*» 
Exertions- of Congress.... North's conciliatory, bill 
,.,, Arrival of Silas Dean from France. ».,HoTJe 
sails for England.. ..Philadelphia evacuated,,. BaU 

tie at Monmouth Count d'Estaigne's arrival.,., 

Sullivan's atietnpt to take Rhode-Island, ,.,JVash* 
ington goes into nvinttr-quarters. 



o 



.NT the 16ch of March, 1778, lord 
North intimated to the houfe of commons, 
that a paper had been ^.lid before the king, 
by the French ambafTador, intimating the 
c.onclufion of an alliance between the court 
of France and the United States of Ame- 




GEORGE WASHINGTON,. 169 

rica. The preliminaries of this treaty had 
been concluded in the end of the year, 1777, 
and a copy of them fenc to cong efs, in 
order to counteract any propofals that might 
be made, in the mean time, by the Britilh 
miniftry. On the 6th of February, 1778, 
the articles were formally (igned, to the fa- 
tisfadion of the French nation. They were 
in fubflance as follows: 

1. If Great- Britain fhould, in confe- 
quence of this treaty, proceed to hoftilities 
againft France, the two nations fhould mu- 
tually affifh each other. 

2. The main end of the treaty was, in an 
effc*(ftual manner, to maintain the independ- 
ence of America. 

3. Should thole places of North America 
dill fubjedt to Britain, be reduced by the 
colonies, they fhould be confederated with 
them, or fubjeded to their jurisdidion. 

4. Should any of the Weft India iflands 
be reduced by France, they iliould be deem- 
ed its property. 

5. No formal treaty with Great- Britain 
fhould be concluded either by France or 
America, without the confenc of each other ^ 
and it was mutually engaged that they 
fhould not lay down their arms till the in- 
dependence of the States had been formally 
acknowledged. 

6. The contra<5ling parties mutually s- 

P 



170 THE IIFE OF 

greed to Invite thofe powers that had re-' 
ceived injuries from Great-Britain to joiri 
the comnion caufe. 

7, The United States guaranteed to 
France, all the poflefrions in the Weft-In- 
dies which (he fliould conquer j and France 
in her turn guarranteed the abfolute inde- 
pendence of the States, and their fuprcnne 
authority over tvQvy country they poflefTed 
or might acquire during the war. 

The notification of fuch a treaty was 
looked on by Great-Britain as a declaration^ 
of war by France, and adminiftration took 
meafures accordingly. 

The Americans, in the mean time, alu- 
duouily employed their agents at the cours 
of Spain, Vienna, Pruflia^ and Tufcany, 
m order, if pofTible, to conclude alliances 
with them, or, at kail, to procure an ac- 
knowledgment of their independency. As 
it had been reported that Britain intended 
to apply for afTiliance to Ruffia, the Am^e- 
rican commifiioneis were enjoined to ufe 
their utmoft influence with the German 
princes to prevent fuch auxiliaries from 
marching through their territories, and to 
endeavour to procure the recall of the Ger- 
man troops already fent to Amierica. To 
France, they offered a ceffioa of fuch- Weft- 
India iflands as fhould be taken by the 
uniccd ftrenf^th o^ France and America > 



GEORGE V/ASHINGTON. 171 

and fhould Britain by their joint endeavours 
be difpofleflfed of Newfoundland, Cape Bre- 
ton, and Nova Scotii, thefe territories 
ihould be divided betwixt the two nations^ 
and Great- Britain be totally excluded from 
the fifhery. The propofals to the Spanifh 
court were, that in cafe thev fhould think 
proper to efpoufe their quarrel, the Ameri- 
can States fhould afTiil in reducing Penfa- 
cola under the dominion of Spain, provid- 
ed their fabjefts were allowed the free na- 
vigation of the river Miilifiippi, and the ufe 
of the harbour of Penfacola ; and they fur- 
ther offered, that, if agreeable to Spain, 
they would declare War againft: Portugal, 
ihould that power expel the American ihips 
from its ports. 

The leafon for adlion was now approach- 
ing; and congrefs was indefatigable in its 
preparations for a new campaign. Among 
other methods taken for this purpofe, it 
v^as recommended to all the young gentle- 
men of the colonies to form themfelves in- 
to bodies of cavalry to ferve at their own 
expenfe during the war. General Wafh- 
ingcon, at the fame time, in order to re- 
move all incumbrances from his army, 
lightened their baggage as much as poffible, 
•by fubftituting facks and portmanteaus in 
place of cherts and boxes, and ufing pack- 
iorfes inftead of waggons , On the other 



172 THE LIFE OF 

hand, the Britilh army, expelling to be 
fpeedily reinforced by 20,000 men, thought 
of nothing but conthiding the war accord- 
ing to their wifr.es before the end of the 
campaign. It was wi.ii the utmoft concern, 
as well as indignation, therefore, that they 
received the news of lord North's concilia- 
tory bill. It was univerfaliy looked upon as 
a national dilgrace i and fome even tore 
the cockades from their hats, and trampled 
them under their feet as a token of their in- 
dignation. By the colonics it was received 
with indiftercnce. The Britifli com.mifTion- 
ers endeavoured to make it as public ?.s pcf- 
fible ; and the congrefs, as formerly, or- 
dered it to be printed in all the newfpapeis. 
On tiiis oceaiion, governor Tryon inclofed 
feveral copies of the bill to general Waih-- 
ington in a letter, intreating him that he 
would allow them to be circulated ; to which 
that general returned for anfv^er a copy of 
a nev,fpapcr in which the bill was printed, 
with the refolutions of congrefs upon ir. 
Thefe were, 1 hat whoever prefiimed to 
make a feparate agreem.ent with Britain, 
fhouid be deemed a public enemy ; that 
the United States could not with anv propri- 
ety keep correfpondence with the conim.il- 
fioners until their independence was ac- 
knowledged, and the Britifh fleets and ar- 
mies removed from America. At the fame 



G1E0RGE WASHING TONi 17^ 

time, the colonies were warned not to fuf- 
fer themfelves to be deceived into fecurity 
by any offers that might be made ; but to 
"ufe their utmofl endeavours to fend cheir 
quotas with all diligence into the field. 

About this time alfo Mr. Silas Deane ar- 
rived from France, with two copies of the 
treaty of commerce and alliance to be figned 
by congrefs. Advices of the mod agreeable 
nature were alfo received from various parts, 
reprefenting in the moft favourable light the 
difpofitions of the European powers; all of 
whom, it was faid, wiflied to fee the indepen- 
dence of America fettled upon the mofl firm 
and permanent bafis. 

Wafhington appointed a day for the 
whole army to celebrate this event : and it 
^as obferved with the greateft nnilitary 
.pomp. 

In Mayj general Howe took his depar- 
ture for England, and the chief command 
of the Britifh army devolved on sir Henry 
Clinton. 

The Englifh commifTioners appointed by 
the Britifh miniftry to attempt a reconcilia- 
tion with the colonies, arrived at New-York 
in the beginning of June; but before thev 
could receive an anfwer from congrefs, gen- 
eral Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, after 
the Britifh army had kept pofTeflion of it for 
'nine months. This event took place on tlw 

.P2 



174. THE 11F& OP 

18th of June J and it was confidered by the 
Americans as the harbinger of their inde- 
pendence. They afferted, that the ftrength 
of Britain was bro'ken on the American 
continent i and that the army retreated 
towards the fea, to be in readinefs to em- 
bark if the exigencies of Britain required its 
affiftance. 

The Britifh army marched out of Phila- 
delphia, at three o'clock in the morning, 
and crofTed the Delaware before noon with 
all its baggage. Wafhington had been ap- 
prifed of this movement, and difpatched ex- 
prelTes into the Jerfeys to colledt troops* 
He palled the Delaware, with the main bo- 
dy of his army, and was hourly joined by 
reinforcements of regular troops and mili- 
tia. 

General Clinton retreated acrofs the 
country towards Sandy- Hook, whence a 
paffage to Nevv-York might be eafily effedl- 
€d. In the mc^n tim.e, Vvailiington pur- 
fued the retreating army. He fent the 
fnarquis de la Fayette with a detachment 
pf choftn troops to harafs the rear of the 
enemy ; general Lre, who had bten lately 
exchanged, followed with adivifion to fup- 
port him J and Wafhington hlnfelf moved 
with the miain body to fuftain the whole. 

On the 27ch of June, the Britifli encamp- 
ed in a ilrong pofition at Monmouth; near 



r 

m Freehc 



GE O R CES »W%V. S ITI NG TO N , i";^ 



Freehold; and, on the morning of the 28th, 
the van-divifion of the Annericans, under 
general Lee, commenced the attack by a 
fevefe connonadej but (ir Henry Clinton 
had made fucb judicious arrangements of 
his troops, that the i-'nemy were unable t© 
make any impreifion on his rear. The Bri- 
tilh gren-idiers and light infantry engaged 
the Americans with fuch vigour, that their 
firll line, conmanded by general Lee, was 
completely broken J their fecond line was 
alfo defeated : they both rallied, hpwever, 
and polled themfelves with a morafs in 
their front. They were again charged by 
the Briti.f. troops, and were with difficulty 
preferved from a total defeat by the junc- 
tion of their main body under Wafliington. 

In this adlion the bravery and difcipline 
of the Britifh troops were confplcuous. 
They had forced an enemy, fuptrior in 
number, from two ilrong pofitions and had 
endured exceffive fangue.j both from the 
intenfe heat of the day and unremitting toil. 
The lofo of the Britilh army was about three 
hundred men, and that of the Americans, 
much more confiderable. 

Thecondu6l of Wafliington on this oc- 
cafion was highly praife- worthy. His timely 
inter pofition with the main body had pre. 
ferved the reft of his army from being en- 
tirely cut offj and, by his fubfeq_uent move- 



175 THE. IMFE.lQ.F. . . . 

-ments he placed it fo advantageoufly, as tQ 
fecure it from an attack. Confiding in a 
Superiority of numbers, he now refolved to 
aft offenfively ; his troops lay on their arms 
in the field, and he repofed himfelf in his 
cloak, under a tree, that he might be ready 
to renew the action next morning. He 
5was difappointed on finding that tbeBritifh 
troops had refumed their march during the 
night. On their arrival at Sandy-Hook, 
they embarked on board the fleet, and foon 
afterwards. arrived at New-York. 

General Lee, who commanded the van- 
divifion of the American army intheadlion 
at Monmouth, was, in confequewce of his 
■mifconduft:, put under arreft, tried by a 
court-inartial, and Sentenced to a temporary 
fufpenfion from his command. 

By a rcfolution of congr^fs, unanimoufly 
pafied, general Wafliington, and the other 
officers received their warmest thanks of 
tpraife. 

Count d'Eflaigne, who had failed from 
Toulon, wifh twelve fail of the line and three 
frigates, with 6000 foldiers on board, ar* 
rived on the coaft of Virginia, in the begin- 
ning of July. In Auguft, general Sulli- 
van made an unfuccefsful attempt to take 
■pofTefiion of Rhode-Ifland. 

Wafhington, after the retreat of the Bri* 
€ifh army^ marched to White Plains^, near 



GEORGE WASHIN^GTON. 177 

Kingfbrldge, where he encamped. He re- 
mained in this poficion till the latter end of 
Autumn, when he retired to Middle Brook 
in Jeriey. Here his army eroded huts fimi- 
lar tathofe they had made aC^Vality Forge^ 
and went into winter quarters. 



CHAPTER XXIII. I 

Situation of the American Army ,.,»Expediti(ynof gen-- 
eral Kitjphausen,.,, Death of Mrs, Culdw<:U.,.Sto- 
nty Pomc^o.JVcst Point. ..^Charleston taken*... Ar-^ 
rival of tbd French Jicct.,.,Arburthont's expedition 
to Rhode-Island. _ 

Xn the Ute as in the former campaigtis, 
general Wafhington had much reafon to 
complain to congrefs for the want of men, as- 
well as the flu£ling iituation of his army, in 
confequencc of the fliortnefs of the period 
of their fervice, as appointed by law. Hence 
there was a necc-lTity for being more on the 
offenfivej than the defer .Ive. It appears 
no'.v however, that becaule of the union with 
the French, both congrefs and the people 
were lefs attentive to their fafety, than at the 
beginning of the contetl. Probably the idea 
of this union was a principal caufe of inatten- 
tion, from a fuppofition that there was 
enough in the field, to gain the objcd cog- 



178 TH5 LIFE OF 

tended for. Still however, neither the frowns 
of defeat, nor. the fna lies of vidtory, fo mate- 
rially afFe(5led the mind. of the perfevering 
Wafhington, as for a moment, to relax his 
ardour or intimidate his courage. Ic was 
along time however before thefe evils were 
attempted to be remedied, and at the time 
when the remedy was moft needful and ufe- 
ful, they were in a meafure, hindred by the 
broils in congress, where the very effence of 
harmony ought to have reigned. It cannot 
be douted, but from the fituation of affairs, 
and a view of the country, but the general 
had much to fear, efpecially when it is re- 
membered, that the moft would be made of 
it, by the commiffioners that were fenc oiat 
to negociate with congrefs. No doubt they 
might and would fay, let them alone, their 
own divifions will fight for us ! but a ftv/ more 
flrugles and the vidlcry is our own! What 
man of honour, of courage, and a love of 
country, but a Washingtony would have per- 
fevered as he did ? But ftill ferene and calm., 
he has his eye (leady to the point. 
. In this dilemma, a committee of con- 
grefs v/ere voted, to repair to camp, to af- 
certain the true ftate of its wants ; accord- 
ingly three were appointed. They found 
things as the commander rn chief had re- 
prefented them to be. They wanted pay, 
clotliing, and provifionsj and daily deser- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 179 

tion was the confequence. From the rcr 
port of the committee, congrefs entered 
into refsolutions to make good their claims, 
which had confiderable effedl on the armya 
to induce them to return to their duty. It, 
however, had very different efFedl upon the 
enemy, as they were always watching for 
the moment of mifery and diflrefs, which 
they hoped would prove the difgrace of the 
American^caufe, and from the reports made 
in New-York, thought this was the time ; 
accordingly, early in June, general Kny- 
phaufon, with about 500 men, who lay on 
Staten-[{]and, entered the Jerfeys, at Eliza- 
beth-town point, from which they marched 
to Morris-town, with a view to take or de- 
ftroy the magazine which they fuppofed the 
Americans had there in (lore. As they 
marched by the Connedlicut farms, they 
found their miitake, both as to quantity of 
ftores, and the difpofition of the Ameri- 
cans. Here once circumftance ought not 
to be omitted, a circumftance too, which 
did more good to the i\merican caufe, than 
all the ftores, had there been any, could 
have done to the Bricifti. In order to give 
the reader a full view of it, we think it 
proper, among the many inft;mces of Bn- 
tifh cruelty, to flate it as given in the 
American Remembrancer, of 1780, con- 
tained in the following words : 



180 THE tIFE 05 

Extract of a letter from an intelligent gentleman in 
the neighbourhood of Morristown, June 9, 1780. 

" Although extremely fatigued, I catch 
a moment to inform you, that I have juft 
returned from Elizabeth-town, where 1 have 
been reconnoitring the enemy's fituation and 
ftrength. 

" To give you any idea of their ravages 
and cruelty is beyond my defcriptive abi- 
lities. They came out in force on Tuefday 
night and Wednefday morning, and landed 
in Elizabeth-town before day. Moft ob- 
fervers differ in the account of their num- 
bers ; from my own obfervation, 1 fuppofe 
them about 5000, with feventeen pieces of 
artillery, and every preparative for a lengthy 
march. 

" They advanced to Connedlicut farms, 
about five miles diflance, very early in the 
morning of Wednefday ; and although they 
obferved great difcipline and decorum in 
Elizabeth-town, yet at the Farms every 
fl:ep was marked with cruelty and caufe- 
lefs devaftation. They fet fire to, and en- 
tirely deftroyed the Prefbyterian church, 
and fourteen dweiling-houles and barns ; 
fo that there are (I think) but two dwelling- 
houfes remaining in that fertile fettlement. 
But, alas ! fir, this is only one part of the 
|he horrid fcene. 



G-EORGE WASHIN'GTON'. ISl 

• -^^ In thh neighbourhood lived the Rev. 
James Caldwell, whofe zeal and avUivity in 
the cauferbf his country, had'rendered him 
an- objed worthy of the enenny's keeneft 
refentment. 

^^ His vigilance and attention had always 
evaded every attempt to injure him, and 
therefore it was now determined to wound 
him in an. unguarded part. 

Following the abfurd principles of too 
many of our incautious countrymen, he left 
his wife and family at home, trufting to the 
poiitenefs and humanity of the enemy 
towards an amiable woman, and a number 
of helpkfs and innocent children, though 
he did not think it prudent to trud them 
with his ow^n f<\fety. He had been warned 
of their utmofl hatred to him, and therefore 
diiTuaded from leaving his family in their 
powers but, alas! his confidence in their 
benevolence towards the helplefs has been 
his deflruftion. Soon after their poflfeffing 
themfelves of the neighbourhood, a foldier 
came to the houfc, and putting his gun to 
the window of the room where this worthy 
woman was fitting (with her children and 
and a maid with an infant in her arms along- 
fide of her) he fliot her through the lungs 
dead on the fpot. Soon after, an ofncer with 
• two HefOans came in and ordered a hole t<a 



i'82 THE LIFE OF 

be dug, and her body thrown in, and the 
houfe to be let on fire. 

At the earned requefl of an officer of the 
new levies, and with fonie difficulty, the 
body was fuffered to be carried to a fmall 
houfe in the neighbourhood, and Mr. Cald- 
well's dwelling houfe innmediately fet on 
fire, and every thing belonging to him con- 
funned together. The only connfortarifing 
to this afflicted fannily is, that the wretch 
who ferved as the executioner of this mur- 
dered lady, (who, from her excellent cha- 
ra6ler deferved a better fate) did his bufi- 
ncfs fo effedlually, that fhe loft her life with- 
out diftrefs or pain. I'hus it is, that even 
the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel- 
ty. This melancholy affair, with their cru- 
el burnings, has raifed therelentment of the 
whole country to the higheft pitch ; they are 
ready almoft to fwear an everlafting enmity 
to the very name of Briton. So far is this 
cruelty and devaftation from terrifying to 
fubmiffion, that it roufes the moft timid to 
feats of defperate heroifm. 

In May, 1779, general Clinton fent adi- 
vifion of the Britifh army to take Stoney 
Point, a ftrong fort on a Anall peninfula, 
projediting in a confiderable bluff from the 
weft bank of ITudfon's river into Haver- 
ftraw bay j about forty miles north of Nev/- 
York city, and juft at the ifjuthern entrance 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 18S 

of the highlands, and about twenty Ibuth 
of Weil Point. This expedition was fuc- 
cefsful, as the diftance at which Wafhington 
lay with his army, prevented him from giv- 
ing any affidance to the garrifon. The Bri- 
tiih general fortified Sconev Point in the 
flrongeii manner, and encamped at Philips- 
burgh, half way between that fortrefs and 
New York, to be in readinefs to compel 
Wafliington to an engagement, if he fhouid 
leave his flation in Jerfey. 

In order to counteradl thefe operations 
Wafhington advanced towards the Bntifli 
army. He took a flrong pofition at Weft 
Point. : To give the reader a proper idea 
of the wifdom of Wafhington, in the fe- 
le6lion of this fpot, on this occafion, it is 
only neceffary to fay, that it has always been 
confidered the Gibraltar of America, it is 
fituated on the weft bank of the Hud fon, 
twenty miles north of Stoney Point, and 
may be faid to be the key to the northern 
part of the ftate of New- York, and the 
lakes. It is fuuated in the midft of the 
highlands, flrongly fortified by nature, 
which rendered it the more eafily to be made 
formidable by art. A point of land, form- 
ed by a fudden bend of the Hgdfon, which 
runs very rapid here, is the principal 
fort. On an eminence further up, and which 
fprms the fummit of this vaft mountain. 



1^4 THE LIFE OF 

flands fort Putnam, . which overlooks the 
other fort, and commands a greater extent 
of the river. This mountain, ftanding in 
tht centre of tliC highlands, and furiounded 
by mountains ilill higher;; and by a 
ileep hollow between the -hiountainSj it 
could not be -taken by lefs than twenty 
thoufand men, and the principal attack 
rnuft be made by water, which would' lihriOft' 
;imount to an impoffibility,' ' as the fnips 
v/ould either way -be ftuated in the fivei! 
under the guns of fort Fumam. He form- 
ed a defign to recover Stoney Point, by fur- 
prife, and fent general Wayne, one the 
moil intrepid officers in his army, to con- 
dud this enterprife. Wayne, at. the head 
of a detachment of chofen men, arrived in 
the evening, of the 15th of July, within 
light of S coney Point. He formed his m,en 
into tVi^o columns, with orders to ufe the 
bayonet only. The right cckim.n was com-; 
manded by himfelf in perfon, the left by: 
major Steward, a bold and adiive man. At 
midnight, the two columins marched to the 
attack from the oppofite fide of the works, 
which were fur rounded by a morafs, and two 
rows of abattis, well provided with artillery, 
The Americans were oppofed by a tremen- 
dous fire of mufquetry and grape^fhot, but- 
they prefTcd forward with the bayonet, and 
both Golu-mns m.et in the centre of the works. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 185 

were the garrifon, amounting to 500 men, 
were obliged to furrender prifoners of war. 

When the Britifh general received intel- 
ligence of the furprife ofStoney Point, he 
roarched with his army to retake it, and as 
Wafhington did not confider the poffeffion 
of that foitrefs offufHcient importance to rifk 
a general aftion, he demolidied as much of 
the works as time would permit, and carried 
off the artillery. TheBritilh troops retook 
it three days after it was furprifed. 

Towards the end of the year 1779, general 
Clinton failed from -New- York with a con- , 
fjderable body of troops to attack Charles- 
ton, South Carojina, where general Lincoln 
commanded. After a clofe fiegeof fix weeks, 
the town was fun endered to the Bntifh gen- 
eral, and the whole Am,;;rican garrifon made 
prifoners. lo Auguft 1780, lord Corn waiJis 
defeated the Americans, under general Gates, 
at Camden, fn South Carolina, and he after- 
wards marched through th€ fouthern ftates 
without oppofition. 

During the fum.mer of 1780, the BritiHi 
troops made frequent incurfions from New- 
York into the Jerieys, and an unfuccefsful 
attempt was made by general Knyphaufem 
with fcvcn thoufand men to furprife the ad- 
vanced polls of Wafhington's army. 

On the ilth of July, 1780, a French fleet 
of feven fhips of the line, and four frigates, 



186 THE lif£ of 

bcfides armed vefTels and tranfports, com<»- 
manded by the Chevalier de Ternay, arrived 
at Rhode liland, with an army of five regi- 
ments of the bed troops of France, and a 
battalion of artillery under the Coitnt de 
Rochambeau. 

The arrival of the French troops occafion- 
ed a remarkable circumftance in Wafhing- 
ton's camp. Hitherto the Americans had 
worn blue cockades; but their general now 
ordered them to wear blue and white inter- 
mixed, to denote the alliance of the French 
and American nations. 

Admiral Arbuthnot now proceeded with 
tfie Britilli fleet from New-York to Rhode 
Ifland, and fo completely blocked up the 
French fleet and army as to prevent theii' 
co-operation with the Amiericans. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

•Situation of ojfairs in the American army\,..PariicU' 
Jars of the Treason of Arnold, and the trial and 
execution of Andre, 

X HE fituation and importance of Wefl 
Point having already been hinted at, as the 
key to the lakes ; will fhow the defigned per- 
fidy of the traitor Arnold. 

When rhe fituation of the affairs of Ame- 
rica;, by broils and divilions in congrefs, mu- 



GEORGE ;iWASHINQTOxN. 187 

iinies in the army, and their caufes arc 
confidered^ it coiild hardly be fuppofed that 
one of. the principal officers, baded with ho- 
nour and fame,: conld have been found fo 
naean,' and pofTefTed of fo much villainy, 
as the traitor Arnold,, in all the Arnerican 
fervicc. But revenge and deceit are ever 
the principles'! of a rogue. When Arnold 
was with the army in Philadelphia, he entered 
into all the fcenes of pomp and wickednefs ; 
fo much fo, that he had not a fufficiency to 
carry .him through., His avarice and covet- 
oufneft called forth the hatred. of Pennfyl- 
yania, fo, far as to call him before congrefs. 
This, with hia trial,' and puniiliment, 
(which out to have been more {cvtrcj four- 
ed his mind againft his friends, his country, 
and his honour. Hence, the ;effe<5ls of trea- 
fon and difgrace. Full of intrigue and cun- 
ning, devil like,, he infmuates himfelf into 
the notice of VValhington, and makes the 
wounds received with honour the means 'to 
bring him to difgrace. From feveral re- 
commxCndations, Wan:iington was induced 
to give him the command of this important 
fortrefs. It is not material, whether it was 
previous, or after this, that the feeds of irea- 
fon were fown ill' his revengeful dil^ofition ; 
here v^ere means innocently put into his 
hands to carry it on. Having received his 
coramifllon, and arrived at his pofl, no time 



188 THE LITE OF 

was loft to carry his wicked principles into 
a6lion, and accordingly, by feme means or 
ether, he communicated his defign to the 
Britilh commander ; a correfpondence was 
opened, and in the abfence of general Wafh- 
ington, who was then holding a conference 
with count de Rochambeau at Hartford, 
it was carried on with great alertnefs and 
ikiW. The bufinefs being thus fettled, the 
agent appointed to carry it into efi-e6l, was 
major John Andre, of ivhom his then com- 
mander fays, ** was an honour to his coun- 
try, and an ornament to his profcfTion.'* As 
the particulars of this interefling affair have 
not been particularly given in any of the 
editions of the life of Wafhington that we 
have fcen, it is thought proper to give it in 
full in this edition. 

Proceedings of a Board of Genera! Officers, held by 
order of General Washington, Commander in 
Chief of the Army of theUhiied States of Amer- 
ica, refped\ing Major John Andke, Adjutaut- 
General of the Brltini Army, Sept. 29, I'ZSO. 

Extract of kuers from general Washington to the 
President of Congress, 

Robinson'4 Jlotise, in the Highlands, 
'Sept. 2% 17 SO, 

*'S-ir, . •, 

'< I have the honour to inform the congrefs, 
that I arrived h-ere ycfterday, about twelve 



CEOR€E WASHINGTON. 189 

o'<;:lcck, on' my return from Hartford, Sonne 
hours previous to; my arrival, it)ajor-gene- 
ral ArriQld v^ent from his quarters, which 
were at this pla^e, an<d, as it was fuppofed, 
over the river to the garrifon at Weft- point, 
whither I proceeded myfelf, . in order to vifit; 
the poft. 1 found general Arnold had not 
been jihere du/ing the day, and on my re- 
turn to his quarter^, he was ftill abfent^ 
In the mean time, a packet had arrived from, 
lieutenant-colonel Jarr^eifgn, announcing the 
capture of John Anderfon, who was endea- 
vouring to go to Nevy. York with feveral in- 
terefting and important .papers, all in the 
haf>d-writing of general Anipld,j. this . Avaa 
accompanied ;wit:h a letter from the prifo;ner 
avowing himfelt to be major John Andre, 
adjutant general to the Britifli army, relat- 
ing the manner of his capture, and endea- 
vouring to (liew that he did not come under 
the defcription of a fpy. Ficmi thefe feve- 
ral circumdances, and information that the 
general feem^ed to be thrown into fome de- 
gree of -sgitation, on receivings ^.i letter a 
little time before he v;ent froili his quar- 
ters. I was led to conclude" immiediately 
that he had heard of major Andre's capii-, 
yixyj and, that he would, if pgfllble, efcape 
to. the enemy, and accordingly took fuch 
meailires as appeared. moft pi obable to ap- 
prehend him J but he had ^embarked in a 



190 THi; LIFE OF 

barge, and proceeded down the river, under 
a flag, to the Vulture fhip of wzirr, which 
lay at fome miles below Stoney and Ver- 
plank's Point. He wrote me a letter after 
he got on board. Major Andre was not ar- 
rived yet; but I hope he is fecure, and will 
be here to-day. I have been, and am tak- 
ing, precautions, which I truft will prove 
effectual to prevent the important confe- 
quenccs which this condud, on the part of 
general Arnold,, was intended to produce. 
I do not know the party that took major 
Andre, but it is faid it confifted only of a 
few militia, who a6led in fuch a manner 
on the occafion, as does them the higheft 
honour, and proves them to be men of great 
virtue. As foon as I know their names, 
1 fiiall take pleafure in tranfmiitting them, to 
congrefs. 

Paramiis^ Oct, 7, 1780. 

'* Sir, 

'^ I have the honour to inclofe congrefs, a 
copy of the proceedings of a board- of gene- 
ral ofEcers in thecaufe of major Andre,' ad- 
jutant-general to the Britifh army. This 
officer was executed in purfuance of the 
fentence of the board, on Monday, the 2d 
infcant, at twelve o'clock, at our late Camp 
at Tappan. Befides the proceedings^- I 
tranfmit copies of fundry letters refped'ing 



GEORQE WASHINGTON. 191 

the matter, which are all that palTcd on the 
fubjedlj not included in the proceedings. 

*^ I have now the pleafure to communi- 
cate the names of the three perfons who 
captured major Andre, and who refufed to 
releafe him, notwithftanding the mofl earn- 
eft importunities, and affu ranees of a liberal 
reward on his part. Their names are, John 
Paulding, David Williams^, and Ifaac Van- 



Proceedings of a board of general ojficcrSy held by 
order of his excellency general Wasbingtorif com- 
mander in chief of the (irmy of the United States 
of America^ respecting major Andre^ adjutant- 

' general of the British army, September 29^ 1780, 
rd Tappartf in the State of NcxV-Torkt 

PRESENT. 

Major-general Green, prefident; major- 
general lord Sterling, major-general St. 
Clair, major-general the marquis de la Fay- 
ette, major-general Howe, major-general 
the baron de Steuben, brigadier-general 
Parfons, brigadier-general Clinton, briga- 
dier-general Knox, brigadier-general Glov. 
er, brigadier^gencral Patterfon, brigadier- 
general Hand, brigadier-general Hunting- 
ton, brigadier-general Starke, John Lau- 
rence, judge-advocate-general. 

Major Andre, adjutant- general to the 
Brici(h army, v/as brought before iht board 



192 THE "LIFE OP 

and the following letter of general Wafhing- 
ton to the board, dated head-quarters Tap- 
pan, September 29, 1780, was laid before 
thenn and read : 

^ Gentlemen, 

'^ Major Andre, adjutant-general of the 
Britifh army, will be brought before you 
for your examination. He carhe w^ithin our 
lines in the night, on an interview with major 
general Arnold, and in an afTumed character, 
and was taken within ourlines,in a difguifed 
habit, with a pafs under a feigned name, 
and with the inclofed papers concealed upoii 
him. After a careful examination, you 
will be pleafed, as fpeedily as poffible, to 
report a precife ftate of his cafe, together 
with your opinion of the light in which he 
ought to be confidered, and the punifliment 
which ought to be inflifted. The judge- 
advocate will attend to afifiil in the exami- 
nation, who has fundry other papers rela- 
tive to this matter, which he will lay be*- 
fore the board. 

I have the honour to be. 
Gentlemen, 
Your mod obedient, 
and humble fervant, 
G. Washington.'' 

n.-e hoard of general qfficcrs convened at Tappan. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 193 

The names of the officers compofing 
the board were read to major A ndre, and 
on his being allced whether he confefled the 
matter contained in the letter from his ex- 
cellency general Walhington, to the board, 
or deneyed them, he faid, in addition to his 
letter to general Wafliington, dated Salem, 
the 24th of September, 1780, which was read 
to the board, and acknowledged by major 
Andre, to have been written by him, which 
letter is as follows : 

Salem 24tb Sept, 1780. 

" Sir, 

" What I have yet faid concerning myfelf, 
was in the unjuftifiable attempt to be extri- 
cated J I am too little accuftomed to duplic- 
ity to have fucceeded. 

" I beg your excellency will be perfuad- 
ed, that no alterati )n in the temper of my 
mind, or apprehenfion for my fafety, induces 
me to take the ftep of addrefling you, but 
that it is tofecure myfelf from an imputation 
of having afTumed a mean charader for trea- 
cherous purpofesorfelf-intereft. A condu61: 
incompatible with the principles that adluat- 
ed me, as well as with my condition in life, 

*^ It is to vindicate my fame that I fpeak, 
and not to folicit fecurity. 

" The perfon in your poflefTion is major 
John Andre, adjutant-general to the Britifh 
army. 

R 



194 Ttt5 JLIFE OF 

"The influence of one commander in the 
army of his adverfary is an advantage taken 
in war. A correfpondence for this piirpofe 
I held, as confidential (in the prefcnt in- 
ftance) with his excellency sir Henry Clin- 
ton. 

*'To favour it, I agreed to meet upon 
-ground not within pofts of either army, a 
perfon who was to give me intelligence ; I 
came up in the Vulture man of war for this 
-tfFe6]:, and was fetched by the boat from the 
fhore to the beach : being there, I was told 
that the approach of day would prevent my 
return, and that 1 mull be concealed until the 
next night. I was in my regimentals, and 
had fairly rifqued my perfon. 

"Againft my (lipulation, my intention, 
and without my knowledge before hand, I 
was conduced within one of your pods. — 
Your excellency may conceive my fenfation 
on this occafion, and will imagine hov/ much 
more 1 m.uft have been affeded, by a refufal 
to re-condu(St me back «i]e next night as I 
had been brought. Thus become a prifon- 
er, 1 had to concert my efcape, I quitted my 
uniform^ and was pafled another way in the 
night, without the American poiVs, to neu- 
tral ground ; and informed I was beyond all 
armed parties, and left to prefs for New- 
York, I was, taken at T^Jrv-^^owa, by fome 
volunteers. 



CtORGE WASHINGTON. 195 

^' Thus, as I have had the honour to relate, 
was I betrayed (being adjutant-general oi 
the Britifh army) into th^ vHecondition of an 
enemy within your pods. 

*^ Having avowed myfelf a Britilli officer, 
I have nothing to reveal but what relates to 
myfelf, which is true on the honour of an 
officer and a gentlemen, 

" The requefl: I have made to your ex- 
cellency, and I am confcious that I addrefs 
myfelf well, is, that in any rigour policy may 
dictate, a decency of conduct towards me 
may mark, that though unfortunate, I am 
branded with nothing diflionourable j as no 
motive could be mine, but the fervice of my 
king, and as I was involuntarily an impofter. 

** Another requeft is, that I may be per- 
mitted to write an open letter to sir Henry 
Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes 
and linen. 

** I take the liberty to mention the condi- 
tion of feme ^gentlemen at Charles-town, 
who, being either on parole or under protec- 
tion, were engaged in a confpiracy againfl 
us. Though their fituation is not fimiliar, 
they are objedls v/ho may be fent in ex- 
change for rne, or are perfons whom the 
treatment I receive might affed. 

'* It is no lefs, sir, in a confidence in the 
generofvty of your mind, than on account of 



196 THE LIFE Of 

your fuperior flation, that I have chofen to 
importune you with this letter. 

I have the honour to be, with the greateft 

rcfpecfb, sir, your excellency's mofl: 

obedient and nnofl; humble icrvant, 

John Andre, Adj. Gen." 

His Excellency General 
Washitigton, tP'c, 

He then came on fhore from the Vulture 
fioop of war in the night of the twenty-firft of 
September inft. fomewhere under the Hav- 
erftraw Mountain. That the boat he came 
on fnore in carried noflag^ and that he had on 
a fur tout coat over his regimentals, and that 
he wore his furtout coat when he was taken. 
That he met general Arnold on the (liore, 
and had an interview with him there. He 
alfo faid, that when he left the Vulture fioop 
of war, it was underftood he was to return 
that night ; but it was then doubred, and if he 
could not return he waspromifed to be con^ 
cealedon fliore in a place of fafety, until the 
next nighty when he was to return in the fame 
manner he came on fiiore, and when the next 
day came, he was folicitous to get back, and 
made enquiries in the courfe of the day, how 
he fhould return, when he was informed he 
could not return that way, and he mult take 
the route he did afterwards. He alfo faid, 
«hat the firft notice he had of his being within 



^EORtJtE WASHINGTON* 197 

any ofourpojlsy wasj "being challenged by the 
fentry, which was the firft night he was on 
the riiore. He alfo faid, that the evening of 
the twenty-fecond of September inftarlt, he 
paffed King^s Ferry y between our pofts of Sio^ 
fiey and Ver plank's Point s^ in the dress he is at 
prejent in, and which hejaid was not his regi- 
mentals ; and which drefs he procured after 
he landed from the Vulture, and when he 
was within ourpofi\ and that he was proceed- 
ing to New-York, but was taken on his way 
at Tarry-town, as he .mentioned in his letter, 
on Saturday the 23d September inft. about 
<nine o'clock in the morning. 

The following papers were laid before the 
board, and fhewed to major Andre, who 
confefied to the board, that they were found 
on him when he was taken ; and faid 
they where concealed in his boot, except the 
pafs :- 

A pafs from general Arnold to John An^ 
derson, which name major Andre ackncw^ 
ieged he a/fumed. 

Artillery orders, September 5, 178(X 

Eftimate of the force at Weft- Point and 
its dependencies, September 1780. 

Eftimate of m.en to man the works at 
Weft-Point, &c. 

Return of ordnance at Weft Point, Sep- 
tember 1780. 

Keunarics on works at Weft-Point* 



198 THE LIFE OF 

Copy of a (late of matters laid before a 
council of war, by his exctillency general 
Wafliington, held the 6th of Sept! 1780. 

A letter figned John AnderJoUy dated Sep- 
tember 7, 1780, to colonel Sheldon*, was 
alfo laid before the board, and fhewn to ma- 
jor Andre, which he acknowleged to have- 
been written by him i ?ind is as follows: 

New-York, Sept. 7, 1780* 

"Sir, 
" 1 am told my name h made known to you, 
and that I may hope your indulgence in per- 
mitting me to meet a friend near your out- 
pofts. 1 will endeavour to obtain permifiion 
to go out. with a flag which will be fent to 
Dobb's Ferry, on Monday next, the 11th, 
at 12 o'clock, when 1 fhall be happy to meet 
mr. G— 1» Should 1 not be allowed to 

*Left it fhould be fuppofed that colonel Sheldon, 
to whom the above letter is addreffed, was privy to 
the plot carrying on by general Arnold, it is to be 
obferved, that the letter was t'ciind among Arnold's 
papers, and had been tranfmitted by colonel Sheldon, 
\vho, it appeals from a letter on the 9th of Septem- 
ber to Arnold, which inclofed it, had uever heard of 
John Andert'on before. Arnold, in his anfwer on 
the 10th, acknowledged he had not communicated it 
to him, though he had informed him, that he expect- 
ed a perfon would come fiom New-York, for the 
purpofe of brinijing him intelligence. 

t It appear? by the fame letter that Arnold had 
written to Mr. Anderfon, under the iignaturc of 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 199 

go, the officer who is to command theefcort, 
between whom and myfelf no diftinftion 
need be made, can fpeak on the affair. 

" Let me intreat you, fir, to favour a 
matter fo interefting to the parties concern- 
ed, and which is of fo private a nature, that 
the public on neither fide can be injured by 

it. ; . 

" I Ihall be happy, on my part, in doing 
any a(fl of kindnefs to you, in a family or 
property concern of a fimilar nature. 

" I truft I (hall not be detained, but 
fhould any old grudge be a caufe for it, I 
fhould rather rifle that, than negledt the 
bufinefs in queftion, or assume a mysterious 
character to carry on an innocent affair ; 
and, as friends have advifed, get your lineg 
by ftealth, 

I am, fir, with all regard. 
Your mod obc*dient 

humble fervant, 
John Anderson.^' 

Colonel Sheldon, 

Major Andre obferved, that this letter 
could be of no force in the cafe in quellion, 
as it was written in New- York, when he 

Guflavus. His words are, '* I was obliged to write 
withj^reat caution to him, my letter w<is figiird Gus- 
tavus, to prevent any discovery, in case it fell into 
the hands of the enemy." 



tK)0 THE I.IFE €iW ■> 

was under the orders of general Clinton, 
but that it tended to prove, that it was not 
his intentions to com« within our lines. 

The board having interrogated major 
Andre, about his conception of his coming 
on fhorc under the fandlionof a flag, he faid, 
*' that it was impoffible for him to fuppofe 
he came on fhore under that fandion j and 
added, " That if he came on fhore under 
that fanftion, he certainly might have re- 
turned under it.'* 

Major Andre having acknowledged the 
preceding fa6ls, and being afked whether he 
had any thing to fay Vefpedling them, anf- 
wered, he left them to operate with the 
board. 

The examination of major Andre being 
concluded, he was remanded into cuftody. 

The following letters were laid before the 
board and read: — Benedi6l Arnold's letter 
to general Wafliington, dated September 25, 
1780 J colonel Robinfo^n's letter to general 
Wafhington, dated Sept. 25, 1780 ; and 
general Clinton's letter, dated Sept. 26, 
1780, (inclofmg a letter of the fame date 
Irom Benedid Arnold) to general Wafh- 
ingtoji. 



6E0JIGE WASHINGTON. 201 

On board the Vulture^ Sept. 25, 1780. 

" Sir, 

" The heart which is confcious of its own 
re6litude, cannot attennpt to palliate a ftep 
which the world may cenfure as wrong ; I 
have ever a(5led from a principle of love to 
my country, fince the commencement of 
thcprefent unhappy conteft between Great- 
Britain and the colonies: the fame principle 
of love to my country, a6luates my prefent 
condu6l, however it may appear inconfif- 
tent to the world, who very feldom judge 
right of any man's adlions. 

" I have no favour to afk for myfelf, I 
have too often experienced the ingraritude 
of my country to attempt it j but from che 
known humanity of your excellency, I am 
induced to afk your protection for mrs. 
Arnold, from every infult and injury that a 
miftaken vengeance of my country may ex- 
pofe her to. It ought to fall only on me; 
file is as good and innocent as an angel, 
and is incapable of doing wrong. 1 beg 
flie may be permitted to return to her friends 
in Philadelphia, or tocome to me, as fhe 
may choofe. From your excellency I have 
no fears on her account, but fhe m.ay fufFer 
from the miflaken fury of the country. 

" I have to requeft that the inclofed letter 
may be delivered to mrs. Arnold, and (he 
permitted to write to mc. 



^02 THE LIFE OF 

^* I have alfo to requeft that my cloaths 
and baggage, which are of little confe- 
quence, may be fent to me ; if required, 
their vahje fhall be paid in money. 

I have the honour to be^ with great re- 
gard and efteem, your excellency's 
mod obedient fervant, 

B, Arnold/' 

Bis Excdllency Gen. Washington*, 

N. B. In juftice to the gentlemen of my 
family, colonel Warwick, and major Franks, 
J think myfelf in honour bound to declare, 
that they, as well as Jofhua Smith, efq. 
(who I know is fufpccSled) are totally ig- 
norant of any tranlacflions of mine, that 
thty had reafon to believe were injurious to 
the public." 



Vulture, off Sinsink, Sept, 25, 1780. 

*< Sir, 

<* I am this moment informed, that major 
Andre, adjutant-general of his majedy's ar- 
my, in America, is detained as a prifoner 
by the army under your command. It is 
therefore incumbent on me to inform you of 
the manner of his falling into your hands : — 
He went up with a flag, at the requeft of 
general Arnold, on public bufinefs with hirr^ 
and had his permit to return by land to New- 
York* Upon thefe circumftances^ major 



&EORGE WASHINGTON. 20f 

Andre cannot be detained by you, without 
the greateft violation of flags, and contra- 
ry to the cuftom and ufage of all nations ; 
and as I imagine you will fee this in the 
fanne manner as I do, I muft defire you will 
order him to be fet at liberty, and allowed 
to return immediately. Every ftep major 
Andre took, was by the advice and direc- 
tion of general Arnold, even that of taking 
a feigned name, and of courfe not liable to 
cenfure for it. 

I am, fir, not forgetting our 
former acquaintance, 

your very humble fervant, 
Bev. Robinson. 

Col, Roy, Americ," 
His Excellency Gen, Washington, 

NeKV.Yorh, Sept. 26, 1780. 
" Sir, 

*^ Being informed that the king's adju-- 
tant-general, of America, has been flopt, 
under major-general Arnold's paiTports, and 
is detained a prifoner in your excellency's 
army, I have the honour to inform you, 
fir, that T permitted major Andre to go to 
major-general Arnold, at the particular re- 
queft of that general oflicer. You will 
perceive, fir, by the inclofed paper, that a 
flag of truce v;as fent to receive major An- 
dre, and pafTports granted for his return. 



f04 



THE LIFE OF 



I therefore can have not a doubt but your 
excellency will immediately diredl, that this 
officer has permifTion to return to«iy orders 
at New-York, 

I have the honour to be, your excel- 
lency's moft obedient, and moft 
humble fervant, 

H. Clinton, 

His Excellency Gen* Washington, 



NeiV'Tork, Sept, 26, 1780. 
" Sir, 

" In anfwer to your excellency's mefTage, 
refpedling your adjutant-general major An- 
dre, and delivering my ideas of the reafon 
why he is detained, being under my pafT- 
ports, I have the honour to inform you, is, 
that 1 apprehend a few hours mufl return 
major Andre to your excellency's orders, as 
that officer is afTuredly under the protcdion 
of a flag of truce, fent by me to him, for 
the purpofe of a converfation, which I re- 
quefled to hold with him relating to myfelfj 
and which I wifhed to communicate, thro* 
that officer to your excellency. 

" I commanded at the time at Weft 
Point, and had an undoubted right to fend 
my flag of truce for major Andre, who came 
to me under that prote^lion ; and having 
held my converfation with him, I delivered 



m 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 205 

him confidential papers in my own hand- 
writing, to deliver to your excellency; 
thinking it much propfrer he fhould return 
by land, I dire6Ved iiirn to make ufe of the 
feigned name of John Anderfon, under 
which he had, by my diredlion, come on 
ihore, and gave him my pafTports to go to 
the White Plains, on his v/ay to New- York. 
This oiBcer, therefore, cannot fail of being 
immediately fent to New- York, as he was 
invited to a converfaticn with me, for v^hich 
I fent him a flag of truce, and finally gave 
him pafiTports for his fafe return to your 
excellency ; all which 1 had then a right to 
do, being in the actual fervice of America, 
under the orders of general WaOiingtona 
and commanding-general * at Weft Point 
and its dependencies. 

I have the honour to be, your 
excellency's moft obedient, 
and very humble fervanc, 
'B. Arnold,** 

rlis Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, 

The board having confidered the letter 
from his excellency general WafhingtoOj 
refpefling major Andre, adjutant-general to 
the Britifh army, the confefTion of major 
Andre, and the papers produced to them^ 
report to his excellencv the commander in 
S 



I 



206 THE LIFE OF 

chief, the following fadts, which appear to 
them relative to major Andre : 

Firft, that he came on fliore from the 
Vulture (loop of war, in the night of the 21(1 
of September inftant, on an interview with 
general Arnold, in a private and fecret 
jnanner. 

Secondly, that he changed his drefs within 
our lines, and under a feigned name, and in 
a difguifed habit, pafTed our works at Stoney 
and Verplanck's Points, on the evening of 
the 22d of September inftant, and was taken 
the morning of the 23d of September inftant, 
at'Tarry-town in a difguifed habit, he being 
then on his way for New^York, and when 
taken, he had in his pofteft'ion feveral papers, 
which contained intelligence for the ene- 
my. 

The board having maturely confidered 
thefe fadls, do alfo report to his excellency 
general Waftiington, that major Andre, 
adjutant-general to theBritifiV army, ought 
to be confidered as ^spy from the enemy, 
and that agreeable to the law and ufagc of 
nations, it is their opinion, he ought to fuf- 
fer death. 

Nathaniel Green, m.ajor-general, prefi- 
dent; Stirling, major-general ; La Fayette, 
major-general J i\r. St. Clair, major-gen- 
eral i R.Howe, major-general; Steuben, 
^najor- general j Samuel H, Parfons, briga» 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 207 

dier-general ; James Clinton, brigadier- 
general j H. Knox, brigadier-general, ar- 
tillery ; John Glover, brigadier-general; 
John Patteribn, brigaaier-general ; lid ward 
Hand, brigadier-general i J. Huntington, 
brigadier-general i John Starke, brigadier- 
general; John Laurence, judge-advocate- 
gcneral. 

APPENDIX. 

Copj of a letter from major Jndre to sir IJcnry 
Clinton f L, £. L7c. oc. 

Tappan, Sept. 29, 1780. 

** Sir, 

" Your excellency is doubtlefs already 
apprifed of the manner in which I was tai^en 
and pofTibly of the ferious light in which my 
conducft is confidered, and the rigorous de- 
termination that is impending. 

** Under thefe circumftances, I have ob- 
tained general Wafhington's permillioh to 
fend you this letter, the objedt of which is 
to rem.ove from your breafl any fufpicion 
that 1 could imagine, I was bound by your 
excellency's orders to expofe mylelf to 
what has happened. The events of cc ming 
within an enem.y's pofls, and of changing 
my drefs, which led mie to my prefeiu fi- 
tuation, were contrary to my own intentions, 
as they were to your orders i and the cir- 



^Od THE LIFE OF 

cuitous route which 1 took to return, was 
impofed (perhaps unavoidably) without al- 
ternative upon me. 

"I am perfectly tranquilin mind, and pre- 
pared for any fate to which an honeft zeal for 
rny king'^ fervice may have devoted me, 

"In addrefTing myfeif to your excellency 
on this occafion, the force of all my obliga- 
tions to you, and of the attachment and gra- 
titude 1 bear you, recurs to me. With all 
the Vs-armth of my heart, I give you thanks 
for your excellency's profuie kindnefs to 
me ! and I fend you the rnofc earneft wifhes 
(or your weifijre, which a faithful, xifTedion- 
ate, 2nd refpedful attendant can frame. 

'' I h.ive a m^other and three fillers, to 
v^homi the value of my commifhon would 
be an objedl, as the lofs of Grenada has 
much affeded their income. It is need- 
lefs to be more explicit on this fubjed: ; I 
am perfuaded of your excellency's goodnefs. 

*' I receive the greatefl: attention from his 
excellency general Vv^afhington, and from 
every perfon un-der whofe charge I happen 
10 be placed. 

'* I have the honour to be, with the mod: 

refpedfui attachmenc, your excellency's 

mod obedient and moft humble fervant, 

John Andre, Adjutant-general/* 

Mis excellency sir Henry Clinton 

K. B, i^c, ^c. bV, '"^ 



GEORGIA WASHINGTON. 209 

Copy of a letter Jrom bis excellency general Wa&h» 
ingtoni to his excellency sir Henry Clinton, 
Head'?^arters Sept, 30, 1780. 

" Sir, 

" In anfwer to your excellency's letter of 
the 26th inftant, which 1 had the honour to 
receive, I am to in fornn you, that major 
Andre was taken under fuch circumdances, 
as would havejuilified the moft fummary 
proceedings againfl him. I determined, 
however, to refer his cafe to the examination 
and decifion of a board of general officers, 
who have reported, on his free and voluntary 
confeflion and letters : ** That he came on 
fhore from the Vulture floop of war, in the 
night of the 21ft of Sept." &c. 6^c, as in 
the report of the board of general officers. 

" From thele proceedings, it is evident, 
major Andre was employed in the execution 
of meafures very foieign to the objec^^s of 
flags of truce, and fuch as they were never 
meant to authorize or countenance in the 
moll diftant degree ; and this gentleman: 
confeficd, with the gre.';tefl: candour, in the 
courfe of his examination. *' 1 Ifat it was 
impofTible for him to fuppofe, he came on 
fhore under the fandlion of a flag." 

1 have the honour to be your excellency's 
moil obedient, and moft hurnblc-fervant, 
G Washington.'' 

His cxcelUncy sir Henry Clinton, 
S 2 




:2i# THE LIFE OF 

In this letter, major Andre's of the 29ih 
of Sept, to fir Henry Clinton, was transmitted. 

2^env-Tork^ Sept, '26y 1780. 

" Sir, 

^' Perfuaded that you are inclined rather to 
promote than prevent the civilities and 
a6ls of humanity, which the rules of war 
permit between civilized nations, I find no 
difficulty in reprefenting to you, thatfeve- 
ral letters and melTages, fent from hence, 
have been difregarded, are unanfwered, and 
the flags of truce that carried them, detain- 
ed. As I ever have treated all flags of truce 
with dvility and refped, I have a light to 
hope, that you will order my complaint 
to be immediately redrefled. 

Major Andre, who vifited an ofiicer com- 
manding in a difl:ri<51:, at his own defire, 
and a6led in every circumftance agreeable 
to his dirc6lion, 1 find is detained a prifoner; 
my fiiendfhip for him leads me to fear, he 
may iu^er ibme inconvenience for want of 
neceiluries 5 I wifn to be allowed to fend him 
a few, and flial'l take it as a favour if yoia 
will be pkafed to permit his fervant to de- 
liver them. In fir He^iry Clinton's abfencc, 
it beci)mes apart of my duty to make this re- 
^refentation and requeft. I am, fir, your ex- 
cellency's moll obedient humble fervant^ 
Jamls Robinson, lieut. geno'^ 



0EORGE WASHINGTON. 211 

Tappauy Sept.^Oi 1780« 

" Sir, 

^' I have juft received your letter cf the 
29th. Any delay which may have attended 
your flags has proceeded from accident, and 
the peculiar circumllances of the occafion, 
not from any intentional negledt or viola- 
tion. The letter that admitted of an an- 
fwer has received one as early as ir could be 
given with propriety, tranfmitted by a flag 
this morning. As to meflTages, I am unin- 
formed of any that have been fcnt, 

" The neceflaries for major Andre will 
be delivered to him, agreeable to your re- 
queft, 

I am, fir. 
Your mod obedient humble fervant, 
G. Washington.*' 

His excellency lieut, gen, 

Hobertson^ New-Tork, 

.Ncnv-Torh, Sept, 30. 1780. 

" Sir, 
^* From your excellericy's letter of this 
date, I am perfuaded the board of general 
officers, to whom you referred the cafe of 
major Andr<f, can*t hav« been rightly in- 
formed of all the circumllances on which a 
judgment ought to be formed I think it 
of the highefl Tnoment to h:(jmanity, iJiat 
|7©ur excellency ihould be perfectly ap- 



212 TKJE LIFE ©F 

prifed of the (late of this matter, before 
you proceed to put that judgment in exe- 
cution. 

" For this reafon, I fKall fend his excel- 
lency lieutenant general Robertfon, and two 
other gentlemen, to give you a true ftate 
of fadls, and to declare to you my fenti- 
ments and refolutions. They will fet out 
to-morrow as early as the wind and tide 
will permit, and wait near Dobb's ferry 
for your permifTion and fafe condu^fl, to 
meet your excellency, or fuch perfons as 
you may appoint, to converfe with them on 
this fubjedl. 

I have the honour to !; '?, 

Your exceliency'b moil obedient 
and humble fervant, 

H. Clinton." 
P. S. The hon. Andrew Elliot, efq. 
lieutenant-governor, tlie hon. WiiT. Smith, 
chief juftice of this province, will attend 
his excellency lieutenant-general Robert- 
fon. H. C. 

Mis €»:cellency gen, Washington, 

Lieutenant-s2;eneral Robertfon, mr. Elli- 
ot, and mr. Smith came up in a flag-vefiel 
to Dobb*s ferry, agreeable to the above 
letter. The two laR were not fuiTercd to 
land. General Robertfon was permitted to 
come on flxore, and was met by major- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 213 

general Greene, who verbally reported that 
general Robertfon mentioned to hiin in lub- 
Itance what is contained in his letter of the 
2d of 061, to general Wafiiingion. 

Nciu-Tork^ Oct, 2^ 1750. 

^' Sir, 
" I take this opportunity to inform your 
excellency, that I confider myfelf no long- 
er a6ling under the ccmmiilion of congrels: 
their lad to me being among m.y papers, 
at Weft Point, you, fir, will make fuch ufc 
of ic as you think proper. 

** At the fanie time, I beg leave to af- 
fure your excellency, that my attacliment 
to the true intercft of my country is invari- 
able, and that I am a^luated by the lame 
principle, which has ever been the govern- 
ing rule of my conducfl in this unhappy 
conteft. 

I have the honour to be, very refpeft- 
fully, your excellency's moftobe* 
dient humble fervant, 
B. Arnold.'-* 

His excdUncy gen, Washington* 

Greyhound Schooner^ Flag of Truce^ Dobb^s Ftrry, 
Oct. 2, 17&0. 

« Sir, 
*^ A note I have from general- Green, 
leaves me in doubt if his memory had 



214 THE LIFE OF 

ferved him to relate to you, with exa^lnefsa 
the ilibftance of the coiiveifation that had 
pafled betv.een him and myft If, on the liib- 
jedl of major Andre. In an afiair of fo 
much conicqutnce to my friend, to the two 
armies and humanity, 1 would ieave no jos- 
fibiiity of a misundeiftanding, and tlieiclore 
take the liberty to put in writing the hb^ 
fiance of what i laid to general Grtene. 

"1 offered to piove, by ihe evi.M.rxe of 
colonel Kobinfon, and the Officers of the 
Vulture, that major Andre wfnr on flK^ie at 
general Arnold's dtfue, in a boyt icnt for 
him with a flag of truce j that he not only 
came albore with the kiMJV ledee and under 
the protection of the general \Uk; comm.and- 
ed in the dillridt, but that he took no iicp 
while on fiiOre, but by the direclicn of gen- 
eral Arnoki, as will appear bj the inclofed 
letter from him to your excellency. Under 
thefe circumftances, 1 could not, and hoped 
you would noi, confider major Andre as a 
Ipy, for any improper phrafe in his letter to 
you. 

" The fa(fl's he relates correfpond with the 
evidence I offer ; but he admits a conclufion 
that dots not follow. The change of cloaths 
and name was ordered by general Arnold, 
under wfiofe dircdions he neceffanly was 
whi]e within his command. 

" As general Greene and I did not agree 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 215 

in opinion, I wifhed, that difinterefled gen- 
tlemen of knowledge theof lawof war and 
nations might be afked their opinion on the 
fubjedV, and mentioned monlieur Knyphau- 
fen and general Rochambault. 
. " I related that a captain Robinfon had 
been delivered to sir Henry Clinton as a 
fpy, and undoubtedly was fuch ; but that it 
being fignified to him that you were defirous 
that the man fliould be exchanged, he had 
ordered him to be exchanged. 

" I wiflied that an intercourfe of fuch 
civilities, as the rules of war admit of, 
might take ofr manv of its horrors. I ad- 
mitted that major Andre had a great fhare 
of fir Henry Clinton's efleem, and that he 
would be infinitely obliged by his libera* 
tion ; and that if he was permitted to re- 
turn with me,' I would engage to have any 
perfon you would plcafeto name, fet at li- 
berty. 

'^I added, that sir Henry Clinton had 
never put to death any perfon for a breach of 
the rules of war, tho* he had, and now has, 
many in his power. Under the prefent cir- 
cumH'ances, much good may arife from hu- 
manity, much ill from the want of it. If 
that could give any weight, I beg leave to 
add, that vour favourable treatmenr of major 
Andre, will be a favour. I fhould ever be 
intent to return to any you hold dear. 



216 THE LIFE OF 

'^ My memory does not retain, with the 
exaflnefs I could wifli, the words of the let- 
ter which general Greene fliewed me from 
major Andre to your excellency. For sir 
Henry Clinton's fatisfadlion, I beg you will 
order a copy of it to be fent to me at New- 
York. 

I have the honour to be, your excellen- 
cy's mod obedient and w^^ hnrnKU 
fervanr, _ 

James Ro 
His excellency general Washington. 

New-Torh, October^ 1, 1780. 

"Sir, 

•' The polite att^^ntion fhewn by your ex- 
cellency and the gentlemen of vour family to 
mrs. Arnold, when in diftrefs, demand my 
grateful acknowledgements and thanks, 
which I beg leave to prefent. 

*' From your excellency's letter to sir 
Henry Clinton, I find a board of general of- 
ficers have given ic as their opinion, that ma- 
jor Andre, comes under the drfcription of a 
fpy : my good opinion of the candour and 
juftice of thofe gentlemen leads me to be* 
leive, that if they had been made fully ac- 
quainted with every circumilance refpe<5ling 
major Andre, that they would by no means 
have confidered him in the light of a fpy, or 
even of a prifoner. In juftice to him, \ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 217 

think It my duty to declare, that he came 
from on board the Vulture at my particular 
requell, by a flag fent on purpofe for him by 
Joihua Smiih, efq. who had permiffion to go 
to Dobb's Ferry to carry letters, and for 
other purpofes not mentioned, and to return. 
This was done as a blind to the fpy- boats. 
Mr. Smith at the fame time had my private 
directions to go on board the Vulture, and 
bring on fhore colonel Robinfon, or mr. 
John Anderfon, which was the name 1 had 
requefted major Andre to aflume; at the 
fame time I detired mr. Smith to inform him, 
that he fhoukl have my protedion, and a 
fafe paflport to return in the fame boat, as 
foon as our bufinefs was completed. As 
feveral accidents intervened to prevent his 
being fent on board, I gave him my pafT- 
port to return by land. Major Andre came 
on fhore in his uniform (without difguife) 
which, with much reludance, at my partic- 
ular and preffing inftance, he exchanged for 
another coat. 1 furnilhed him with a horfe 
and fiddle, and pointed out the route by 
which he was to return. And as command- 
ing officer in the department, I had an un- 
doubted right to tranfad all thefe matters, 
which, if wrong, m.ajor Andre ought by no 
means to fufTer for them. 

" But if, after this juft and candid repre- 
fentation of major Andre's cafe, the board of 



21^ THE LIFE OF 

general officers adhere to their former opi- 
riion, I fliall fuppofe it didatcd by paffion 
and refentmenci and if that gentlemen 
fhould fuffer the feverity of their fentence, 
I fhould think myfelf bound by every tie of 
duty and honour, to retaliate on fuch unhap- 
py perfons of your army as may fall within 
my power, that the refpe6t due to flags, and 
to the law of nations, may be better under- 
itood and obferved, 

*^ 1 have further to obferve, that forty of 
the principal inhabitants of South-Carolina 
have juitly forfeited their lives, which have 
hitherto been fpared by the clemency of his 
excellency fir Henry Clinton, who cannot 
in jullice extend his mercy to- them any 
longer, if major Andre fufters; which, in 
all probability v ill open a fcene of blood, 
at which humanity will revolt. 

** Suffer me to intreat your excellency, 
for your own and the honour of humani- 
ty, and the love you have of juftice, that 
you fuffer not an unjufi: fentence to touch 
the life of major Andre. '; 

*' But if this v;arning fliould be difre- 
gardcd, and he fufier, 1 call heaven and 
earth to witnels, thai your excellency will 
be judly anfwerablc for the torrent of blood 
that may be (p\\t in confequence. 

1 have tl'.e licncur to be, 8:c. &c. 

B. Arkold/ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON- 219 

Tappan, Oct, I, 1780, 

*^ Buoyed above the terror of death, bj 
the confcioufnefs of a life devoted to hon- 
ourable piirfuics, and ftained with no a6lion 
that can give me remorfe, I truil that the 
requed I make to your excellency at this 
ferious period, and which is to fofcen nny 
lall moments J v/ill not be rejeded. 

^' Sympathy towards a foldier will fure- 
\y induce your excellency and a military 
tribunal, to adapt the miode of my death 
to the feeling^s of a man of honour. 

'* Let me hope, fir, that if aught in my 
-character imprdibs yuu wich tjleem lur/ard^ 
me, ir aught in my misfortunes marks me 
as the yidim of policy and not of refenf' 
ment, I Ihail experience the operation of 
thefe f.^elings in your bread, by being in- 
formed that I am not to die on a gibbet. 
I have the honour to be, your excel- 
lency's mod obedient and mod 
humble fervant, 

John Andre." 

.*' Adj, gen. to the British einny," 
Uis excellency gen, Washington, 

The time which elapfed betVv'een the cap-, 
ture of major Andre, which was the 23d 
of September, and his execution, which 
did not take place till twelve o'clock on 
the 2d of Odlober j the moiie of trying 



202 THE LIFE OF 

him ; his letter to fir Henry Clinton, K. B. 
on the 29th of September, in which he fa id, 
ic J receive the greateft attention from his 
excellency general Wafliington, and from 
every perfon under whofe charge I happen 
to be placed ;'* not to mention many other 
acknowledgments which he made of the 
good treatment he received; muO; evince, 
that the proceedings againft him were not 
guided by paffion or reientment. The prac- 
tice and iifage of war were againfl his re- 
quefi, and made the indulgence he foiicited, 
circumilanccd as he was, inadmiflible. 

Publisbed by Order of Con^r^^^y ^ 

Charles Thompson, Secretary. 

Description of the Monument erected in Westminster 
Abbey ^ for Major John Andre, designed by Rob- 
ert Adam^ Esq, y:rchi(ect, end executed in statuary 
Marb:e by Mr. P, 31. Fan Geldtr, 
This monument is compofed of a farcophagus, ele- 
vaud on a pedeftal, upon the pannel of which is en- 
gravcJ the following infcription : 

Sacred to the memory of 
MAJOR JOHN ANDRE, 
^ho raifed by his merit at an early period of his 
life to the rank of adjutant general of the Britifh 
forces in America, and, en)ployedin an import- 
ant but hazardous enterpnze, fell a facri- 
ficc to his zeal for his king and country 
on the 2d of Odober, 1780, aged 29, 
univerfally beloved and edemcd by 
the army in which he ferved, and j 
lamented even by his foes. 



GliORGE WASHINGTON^ 221 

His gracious fovereign King George III. has 
caufed this nionumeat to be ereded. 

On the front of the farcophagus general Wafli- 
ington is repreCcnted in his tent, at the moment 
when he had received the report of the Gourt-Mar- 
tial held on major Andre ; at the fame time a flag 
of truce ar.ived from the Britifli army, with a letter 
for general Wafhingto^n to treat for the major's lifco 
But the fatal fentence being already palTed, the flag 
was fent back without the hoped for clemency in his 
favour. 

Major Andre received his condemnation with that 
fortitude and refolution which had always marked 
his character, and is reprefented going with unOiaken 
fpirit to meet his doom. 

On the top of the farcophagus, a figure of Britan- 
nia reclined, laments the premature fate of fo gallant 
an officer. The Britifh Lion too, fecms inftiiicSlively 
to mourn his untimely death. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Discontent in the Army.,., Campaign o/lTSl.'.Cornr- 
■tvallis takes possession of York-town,,*,, Count d€ 
Grasse anchors in the Chesapeake,, ^Washing ton ir^ 
vests Tor k- town,... Accession of hostilities proposed 
.,,. Letters on the same,,, .Dispatches to congress,,,^ 
General orders, 

i\T the clofe of the year 1780, the Amer- 
ican army felt the rigour of the feafon, with 
peculiar circumilances of aggravation. The 
troops had been enliiled for three years, 
■which was now expired, and being incenfcd 

T 2 



222 fH£ LIFE OB 

at fo long a continuance of hardfliips, an in- 
furredlion broke out in the Pennfylvania line, 
on the night of the 1(1 of January, when the 
whole (except the officers,) paraded under 
arms, with a deternnination to nnarch to the 
feat of government, to obtain redrefs, they 
were followed by that of New-Jerfey. The 
complaints of thefe fpldiers being well found- 
ed were redreffed, and a general amnefty clof- 
ed the bufinefs. That part of the American 
army which was under the immediate com- 
mand of Wafhington did not efcape the con- 
tagion of revolt. "But as he prudently re- 
mained in his quarters, his prefence, and the 
rcfpedl: and affedion they had for his perlon, 
kept their murmurs within bounds, and pre- 
vented a mutiny. 

The campaign of 1781 was opened with 
great vigour by the Britifh army in Carolina. 
After feveral fldrmifhes with various fuccefs, 
the two armies under lord Cornwallis and 
general Green met at Guildford, on the 15th 
of March, 1781, -and after a well-ccntefted 
adion, the Britilh remained mafliers of the 
lielcl. Lord Cornwallis afterwards marched 
into Virginia, where, notwidiftanding the 
advantages he gained over the Americans, 
his fituaiion became very critical. 

He took poffefHon of York- town, in Vir- 
ginia^ and was followed by the Marquis de la 
Fayette, vv'ho had been difpatched by Wafl> 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 22i 

inojton with two thoufand light infantry, to 
watch the motions of the Britilh army. 

On the 30th of Auguft, count de GrafTe 
anchored inChefapeake bay with twenty-four 
fhips of the line. He landed troops to co- 
operate with Wadiington, who had moved 
with the main body of his army to the fouth- 
ward, and when he heard of the arrival of the 
French fleet in the Chefapeake, he proceeded 
by forced marches to the head of the Elk, 
which he croITed, and proceeded to York- 
town. 

Wafhington now invefted York-town, 
with an army of fixteen thoufand Americans, 
and nine thoufand French. He had fele<5t- 
ed his bed troops for this important occafion, 
and the French were chofen out of the brav- 
eft corps of France. 

The French and American batteries 
mounted with one hundred pieces of cannon 
wereopenedagainft York- town on the night 
of the 6th of Odtober, and an inceiliint lire 
was kept up till the 14':h, when two detach- 
ments of the befiegers attacked and ftormed 
two redoubts in front of the Britifh works. 
The befieged were now fo reduced by fick- 
nefs, and the accidents of war, that they a- 
mounced to only three thoufand fix hundred 
efFe6live men. "Meanwhfiej sir Henry Clin- 
ton fele^ted feven thoufand of his bed troops, 
with which he embarked at New- York, on 



224 TH« LIFE OF 

aboard the Britiili fleet, with a determination 
to fuccour the army under lord Cornwall is ; 
but the garrifon at York-town having per- 
fevered to the utmofl extremity, and no pro- 
fpedl of relief appearing, a negociation was 
opened with Walliington, and the troops and 
feamen were obliged to furrender them- 
felves prifomfrs of war. 

The following particulars of this glorious 
event, will lliow the termination of a long 
druggie for liberty and independence. 

Copy of a letter from lieutenant-general earl Corn- 
ivalliSf to general Washington, dated Torkj in 
Virginia, Oct, 17, 1781. 

Sir, 

I propofe a ceiTation of hoftilities for twen- 
ty-four hours j and that two officers may be 
appointed by each fide to meet at mr. 
Moore's houfe, to fettle terms forihe furrend- 
er of the polls of York and Gloucefter. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed^ Cornwallis. 



Cvpy of a letter from general Washington to lieutC" 

nantgeneral earl Corn'ivalVsy dated Camp^ 

befjre York, Oct. I'S, 1781. 

My Lord, 
t have had the honour of receiving your 
lordlbip's letter of ch:s date. 

An ardent dcfire to ipare the further ef- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 225 

fufton of blood will readily incline me to 
lillen to fucli terms for trie furrender of your 
pods, as are admiffible. 

I wifh, previous to the ^Tieetlngs of com- 
miffioners, that your iordfhip's propofals in 
writing, may be Tent to the American lines, 
for which purpofe a fufpenfion of hoftilities 
during two hours from the delivery of this 
letter, will be granted. 

I have the honour to be, &c, 
(Signed) G. Washingtoji. 

Cofiy of a letter from earl Cornivaliis to general 

IVashington^ dated Tor k fin Virginia^ Oct* \7, 

1781, half past four, F, M, 

Sir, 

I have this moment been honoured with 
your excellency's letter, dated this day. 
The time limited for fending my anfwer 
will not admit of entering into the detail of 
articles. J but the bafis of my propofals will 
be, that the garrifons of York and Glou- 
cefter fliall be priioners of war with the 
cuOromary honours i and for the conveni-i 
ence for the individuals I have the honour to 
command, that the Britifh fhall be fent to 
Britain, and the Germans to Germany, un- 
der engagement not ferve againft France, 
America, or their allies, until rcleafed or 
regularly exchanged -, that all arms and pub- 



.226 THE J.IFE OF 

lie ftores fliall be delivered up to you 5 but 
that the ufualindulgence of fide-arms to of- 
ficers, and of retaining private property, 
fhali be granted to o^icers andlbldiers; and 
that the interefts of fcveral individuals in 
private capacities, and conneded with us, 
fhall be attended to. 

If your excellency thinks that a continu- 
ation of the fufpenfion of hoililities will be 
neceffary to tranfmit your anfwer, I Iball 
have no objedlion to the hour that you may 
propofe. 

1 have the honour to be^ fir, your moft 

obedient and moft humble fervant, 

(Signed) Cornwallis^ 

■Copy of a letter from general Washington to Ucute^ 

nayit'general earl Cornival/is, dated Ca:npj 

before York, Oct, 18, 1801. 

My Lord, 

To avoid unneceiTary difcufllons and de- 
lays, I fhall at once, in anfwer to your lord- 
ship's letter of yefterday, declare the gen- 
eral bafis upon which a definitive treaty of 
capitulation may take place. 

The garrifons of York and Gloucefler, 
including the feamen as you propofe, fhall 
be received prifoners of war. The conditi- 
on annexed, of fending the Britifli and Ger- 
man troops to the parts of Europe to which 



A 



GBORGR' VTASHINGTON. 2^T 

they refpedively belong, is inadmiflible ; 
inftead of this, they will be marched to fuch 
parts of the country as can moft convenient- 
ly provide for their fubfiftence ; and the be- 
nevolent treatment of prifoners, whiclr is 
invariably obferved by the Americans, will 
be extended to them. The fame honours 
will be granted to the furrendering army, as 
were granted to the garrifon of Charles- 
town. 

The fhipping and boats in the two har- 
bours, with all their guns, flores, tacklingj 
furniture, and apparel, llial! be delivered in 
their prefent (Inte to an officer of the navy 
appoi-nted to take poiTcffion of them. 

The artillery, arms, accoutrements, mi- 
litary cheft, and public (lores of every de- 
nomination, fhall be delivered unimpaired, 
to the heads of departments to which they 
refpeclively belong. 

The officers fliall be indulged in retaining 
their fide-arms ; and the officers and foldiers 
may preferve their baggage and tfFt(5ls: 
with this referve, that property taken in the 
country will be reclaimed. 

With regard to the individuals in civil ca- 
pacities, whofe interefls your lordffiip wifhes 
may be attended to, uncil they are more 
particularly defcribed, nothing definitive 
can be fettled. 

I have to add^ that 1 cxpedl the fick apd 



t2S THE LIFE OF 

wounded will be provided with their own 
hofpical ftores, and be attended by Britilh 
furgeons, particularly charged with the care 
of them. 

Your lordfhip will be pleafed to fignify 
your determination either to accept or re- 
jed: the propofals now offered, in the courfe 
of two hours from the delivery of this letter, 
that commifijoners may be appointed to di- 
geft the articles of capitulation, or a. renew- 
al of hoftilities may take place. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed.) G. Washington. 

Copy of a letter from lieutenant-general earl Corn^ 
ivallis to general Washington dated Torky in -^ 
Virginia, Oct, 18, 173 U 

Sir, 
I agree to open a treaty of capitulation 
upon the bafis of the garrifons of York 
and Gloucefter, including feamen, being 
prifoners of war, without annexing the con- 
dition of their being fent to t urope ; but I 
expeft to receive a compenfation in ar- 
ranging the articles of capitulation for the 
furrender of Gloucefter in its prefent ftate of 
defence. I fhall in particular defire, that 
the Bonettafloop of war may be left entire- 
ly at my difpofal from the hour that the 
capitulation is figned, to receive an aid de 
camp to carry my difpatches to fir flenry 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 229^ 

Clinton, fuch foldiers as I nnay think proper 
to fend paflengers in her, to be manned 
with fifty men of her own crew, and to be 
permitted to fail without examination, when 
rhy difpatches are ready, engaging on my 
part that the fhip fhall be brought back, 
and delivered to you, if fhe elcape the dan- 
gers of the fea ; that the crew and foldiers 
ihall be accounted for in future exchanges; 
that fhe ihall carry off no officer with- 
out your confent, nor public property of 
any kind ; and I iliall like wife defire, that 
the traders and inhabitants may preferve 
their property, and that no perfon may be 
punifhed or miolefted for having joined the 
Britifh troops. 

If you chufe to proceed to negoclation 
on thefe terms, I (hail appoint two field of* 
ficers of my army to meet two officers from 
you, at any time and place that you mav 
think proper, to digeft the articles of capi- 
tulation. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) Cornwall is, 

Philadelphia October, 24. 
This morning arrived colonel Tench Tilghrnany aid 
de camp to his excellency general Waskingtorr^ ivilb 
the folio iving dispatches to congress : 

Mead garters, near Tor k^'^ October 19, ITS!. 

" Sir, 
I have the honour to inform congrefs, that 
U 



230 THE LIFE OF 

a pedu^lion oftheBritifh army, under the 
command of lord CornwalJis, is moft hap- 
pily efFefted. Theunremmitted ardor which 
adluatcd every officer and foldier in the com- 
bined army on this occafion, has principally 
led to this important eventy at an earlier pe- 
riod than my moft fanguine hopes had in- 
duced me to expe(5l. 

The fingularfpirit of emulation which an- 
imated the whole army from the firft com- 
mencement of our operations, has filled my 
.mind with the higheft pleafure and fatisfac- 
tion, and had given me the happieft prefages 
of fuccefs. 

On the 17th infcant, a letter was received 
from lord Cornwallis, propofing a meeting 
of commiflloners to confiik on terms for the 
furrender of the pofts of York and Glouces- 
ter. This letter (the firft that had pafled 
between us) opened a correfpondence, a co- 
py of which I do myfelf the honour to en- 
clofe ; that correfpondence was followed by 
the definative capitulation, which was agreed 
to and figned on the 19th, a copy of which I 
herewith tranfmit, and which I hope, will 
meet with the approbation of congrefs. 

I fhould be wanting in the feelings of 
gratitude, did I not mention, on this occafion, 
mth the warmeft fenfe of acknowledgements, 
the very cheerful and able afilftance which I 
hav^ received in the courfeof our operations. 



6E0RGE WASHINGTON. 231 

from his excellency the count de Rocham- 
beau. — Nothing could equal. this zeal of our 
allies but the imitating fpirit of the Ameri- 
can officers, whofe ardor would not fuffer 
their exertions to be exceeded. 

The very uncommon degree cfduty and 
fatigue, which the nature of the fervice 
required from the officers of engineers and 
artillery of both armies, obliges me particu- 
larily to mention the obligations I am under 
to the commanding and other officers of 
thofe corps. 

I wifh it was in my power to exprefs to 
congrefs, how much I feel myfelf indebted 
to the count de Grafle and other officers of 
the fleet under his comm-and, for the diftin- 
guifhed aid and fupport Vv'hich has been af- 
forded by them between whom and the army, 
the moft happy concurrence of fentiments 
and views have fubfiiled, and from whom 
every poffible co-operation has been ex- 
perienced, which the molt harmonious inter- 
courfe could afford. 

Returns of the prifoners, military flores^ 
ordnance, ffiipping, and other matters, I 
Ciall do myfelf the honour to tranfmit to 
congrefs, as foon as they can be collected by 
the heads-of the departments to which they 
belong. 

Colonel Laurens, and the vifcount de 
Noailles, on the part of the combined army^ 



252 THE LIFE OP 

•were the gentlemen who acled as commis* 
fioners for the forming and fettling the terms 
of capitulation and furrender, to whom I am 
parricularily obliged for their readinefs and 
attention exhibited on the occafion. 

Colonel Tilghman one of my aids de 
camp, will have the honour to deliver thefe 
dispatches to your excellency ; he will be a- 
ble to inform you of every minute circum- 
llance which is not paiticularlly mentioned 
in my letter. His merits which are too well 
known to need any obfervations at this time^ 
Iiave gained my particular attention, and 1 
could wifli that they m.ay be honoured by 
the notice of your excellency and congrefs. 

Your excellency and congrefs, will be 

pleafed to except my congratulations on 

this happy event, and believe me to be, with 

the higheit refpedt and efleem, sir, 

your excellency's moft obedient 

and humble fervant, 

Geo: Washington. 

F. S. Though I am not pofleffed of the 
particular returns, yet 1 have reafon to fup- 
pofe, that the number of prifoncrs will be 
between five and [ix thoufand, exclufive of 
feamen and others. 

His excellencj the president of congress* 



€^EOilG|; WASHINGTON^ 233 

The following are the general orders tvhicb general 
Washington caused to be published in his camp on 
the 20th ofOclober, the day succeeding the reduc- 
tion of lord Cornvjallis's army, 

"The general congratulates the army up- 
on the glorious event of yefterday. The tes- 
tinnony which his moft chriftian majefty has 
given of his attachment tothe caufeof Ar o- 
rica, ought entirely to convince the &^n^^ 
of our enemies (who entertain very^ov;^'^^^ 
ous opinions on the fubje^i) of the falurary 
confequences of the alliance, and infpire in 
all the citizens of thefe ftates, fentiments of 
unalcerable gratitude. His fleet, the moft 
numerous and powerful that ever appeared 
in thefe feas, commanded by an admiral 
whofe fuccefs and abilities gave us every rca- 
fon to prtfage great events : His army, con- 
fiding of the moft chofen men, whether offi- 
cers or common foldiers, are pledges of his 
friendfnip to the United States ; and it is 
owing to their affiftance that we have obtain- 
ed fo fignal a vi61ory as the prefenr. 

**The general feizes this opportunity to 
requeft che count Rochambeau, to accept his 
tefiimonies of the mofl: lively gratitude for 
his council and affiftance during the whoie 
time. He offei s his warmeit acknowledg- 
ments to the generals, the baron deViome- 
fniljthc chevalier de Chofeleux, the marquis 
de St, Simon, the count dc Viofmcfnil^ and 



234 THE LIFE OF 

the brigadier-general de Choify, who had a 
feparate command, for the gallant manner 
in which they promoted the intereft of the 
common caufe. 

*' He requefts the comptc de Rochami- 
beau to communicate to the troops under 
^his immediate command, the high fenfe 
^^^^^h he entertains of the diftinguifhed 
i^.V.^f the officers and foldiers of each 
j^ \„,'^nd that he will have the goodnefs 
c^^^^^V'ty in his name, to the regiments of 
Agenois and Deux Fonts, the two pieces of 
artillery taken by them, to ferve as a tefti- 
mony of the courage which they difplayed 
in their attack of the enemy's redoubts on 
the 14th, in which both the officers and fol- 
diers fignalized themfelves in the exercife of 
all the military qualities, fo as even to ex- 
cite envy. The thanks of the general to 
every individual who merited them, would 
include the army 5 but he neverthelefs thinks 
himfeif bound by all the ties of affedlion, 
gratitude, and duty, to acknowledge the 
obligation which he is under to the major- 
generals Lincoln, de la Fayette, and Sump- 
ter ; to the general of the front gate, and 
colonel Carney, for the vigour and intelli- 
gence which they difplayed in proceeding to 
the attack ; to general Knox and colonel 
d' Abbeville, for their great care ?nd at- 
tention in conducing the artillery and war- 



dSOTRafi WASHIlsrCTON. £35 

like (lores, and for the brave and judicious 
manner in which they difpofed them in the 
parallels. He intreats thofe gentlemen 
whom he has mentioned to comm^uni- 
cate his thanks to the officers and fol- 
diers under their commands. The general 
would be guilty of the higheft ingratitude, 
a crime of which he hopes he fhali never be 
accufed, if he forgot to return his fincere 
acknowledgments to his excellency governor 
Nelfon, for the fuccours which he received 
from him, and the militia under his com- 
mand, to whofe activity, emulation, and 
bravery, the highefl: praifes are due; the 
magnitude of the acquifition will be an am- 
ple compenfation for the difficujties and dan- 
gers which they met with fo much firmneis 
and patriotifm. To fpread the general joy 
in all hearts, the general commands that 
thofe of the army, who are now held under 
arreft, be pardoned, fet at liberty, and that 
they join their refpe<5live corps. 

" Divine fervice (hall be performed to- 
morrow, in the different brigades and divi- 
fions. The commander in chief recom- 
mends that all the troops that are not upon 
duty, to adifl at it with a ferious deportment 
and that fenfibility of heart which therecol- 
ledion of the furprifing and particular 
interpoficion of Providence in our favour 
claims, G, Washington." 



236 THE LIFE OF ' .., 

Soon after the capture of loi d Gornwallis, 
the Britilh armament appeared off the Chef- 
apeake, in the latter end of 0(5lober, but, lo 
their mortification, they were apprifed that 
tRe army under lord Cornwallis, had furrcn- 
dered. 

General Washington was solicitous that 
the prifoners of war fhould be well treated. 
By his orders they were diftributed in the 
three provinces of Virginia, Maryland, and 
Pennfylvania; and their allowance of provifi- 
ons was the fame as that of the American 
army, 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

jjddress of Congress,., ..Wasliington returns to NeiV' 
Tork..,, Arrival of Carle ton,,. Preleminarj^ articles 
of peace. 

OoNGRESS voted an addrefsof thanks 
to Wafhington, count de Uochambeau, 
count de Grafi^, and all the officers and fol- 
diers of the combined armies, for the fervices 
they had performed, as follows : 

Jry the United States, in congress assembled, 
Oct. 29ih, 1781. 

Refolved, 

That the thanks of the United States, in 
congrefs aiTembledj be prefented to his ex- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 237 

cellency general V/ashlngton, for the emi- 
nent fervices which he has rendered to the 
United States, and particularly for the well 
concerted plan againft the Britilh garrifons 
in York and Gloucefter, for the vigour, at- 
tention, and military (kill with which the 
plan was executed, and for the wifdom and 
prudence manifefted in the capitulation. 

That the thanks of the United States, in 
congrefs aflembled, be prcfented to his ex- 
cellency the count de Rochambeau, for 
the cordiality, zeal, judgment and fortitude, 
vmh which lie feconded and advanced the 
progrefs of ihe allied army againft the Bri- 
tiih garrifon in York. 

That the thanks of the United States, in 
congrefs alTembled, be prefented to his ex- 
cellency count de Grade, for his difplay of 
jfikill and bravery in attacking and defeating 
the Britiih fleet, off the bay of Chefapeake, 
and for his zeal and alacrity in rendering, 
with the fleet under his command, the moll 
effedual and difliinguilhed aid and fupport 
to the operations of the allied army in Vir- 
ginia. 

That the thanks of the United States, in 
congrefs aflembled, be prefented to the 
commanding and other officers of the corps 
of artillery and engineers of the allied army, 
who fuilained extraordinary fatigue and dan- 
ger in their animated and gallant ap- 
proaches to the lines of the enemy. 



238 THE LIFE OF 

That general Wadiington be dirededto 
communicate to the other officers and the 
fold iers under his command, the thanks of 
the United States in congrefs aflembled, foF 
their condudland valour on thisoccahon. 

Refolved, that the United States in con- 
grefs affembled, will caufe to be erecSted at 
York, in Virginia, a marble column, adorned 
with emblems', of the alliance between the 
United Sta;tesandhis moftchriftian majefty ; 
and infcribed with a fuccin<5l narrative of the 
furrender of earl Cornwallis to his excellency 
gen* Wafliington, commander in chief of the 
combined forces of Am.erica, and France, to 
his excellency the count de Kochambeau, 
commanding the auxiliary troops of his 
inofi: chridian majefty in America, and his 
excellency the count de Graffe, command- 
ing in chief the naval army of France in the 
Ghefapeake. 

Refolved, that two {lands of the colours, 
taken from the Britifh army under the cap- 
itulation of York, be prcfented tohisexcej- 
lency general Wafhington in the name of 
the United States in congrefs aflembled. 

Refolved, that two pieces of field ord- 
nance, taken from the Britiil-i army under 
the capitulation of York, be preferited by the 
commander in chief of the American army 
to count de Rochaaibeau ; and that there 
be engraved thereon a fhort menxjrandum. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 239 

that congress were induced to pr^fent them 
from confiderations of the illuflrious part 
which he bore in cfFedtuating the furrender, 

Refolved, that the secretarjr of foreign 
affairs be diredVed to requefl the minifter 
plenipotentiary of his mod chridian majefty, 
to inform his majefty, that it is the wifh of 
congrefs that count de Graffe may be per- 
mitted to accept a teftimony of their appro- 
bation, fimilar to that to be prefented to 
count de Rochambeau. 

Refolved, That the board of war be 
diredted to prefent to lieutenant- colonel 
Tilghman, in the name of the United 
States, in congrefs aiTemblfd, a horfe pro- 
perly caparifoned, and an. elegant fword, in 
teftimony of their high opinion of his me- 
rit and ability. 

Nov. 7, 1781, Refolved, that the fecre- 
tary of foreign affairs be direcled to pre- 
pare a fketch of emblems of the alliance 
between his moft chriftian majefty; and the 
United States, proper to be infcribed on 
the marble column to be ereded in the 
town of York, under the refoiution of the 
29th day of Odober laft, 

Refolved, That an elegant fword be pre- 
fented, in the name of the United States, 
in congrefs alTcmbled, to col. Humphrey, 
aid de camp of general Wafhington, to 
whofe care the ftandards taken under the 



240 THE LIFE ©r 

capitulation of York were configned, as a 
teftimony ot their opinion of his fidelity, 
^nd ability, and that the board of war take 
prder therein. 

Extract Jrom the minutes^ 

Charles Thompson, Sec, 

Wednefday lad, his excellency the pre- 
fident and fupreme executive council of 
the ftate, waited on his excellency general 
Wafhington, and prefented the following 
addrefs : 

To his excellency George Washington^ esq. general 
and commander in chief of the allied army* 

Sir, 

Our cordial acknowledgments are ever 
due to your excellency, for the great and 
difinterefted fervice you have rendered our 
cdmnnon country j but on this occafion we 
approach you with peculiar pleafure, and 
can only regret, that the common language 
of congratulation will too imperfedly ex- 
prefs our grateful fenfe of the late emJnent 
<Jifplay of your military virtues, in the cap- 
ture of a Britiih general and his whole ar- 
my. We are at a lofs which moil to ad- 
mire, the wifdom of the plan, or the fKill 
and gallantry of the execution, and are too 
fcnfible of the important confequences flov/- 
ipg frpm this great event, to will-i to rcilrain 



GKOROl WASHINGTON. 241 

thecfFufion of gratitude to your excel- 
lency, to our brave and generous allies, and 
our gallant countrymen, thus led by their 
beloved general to vidory and glory. 

Our prayc*rs fliall ever be, that heaven 
may diflinguifh you with its choiceft bleflw 
ings, as the bell reward of fuch great and 
glorious fervices. 

William Moore, Prcfldent. 

In Council, Philadelphia^ 
Mov. 27, 1781. 

To which his excellency, the general, 
was pleafed to make the following anfwer : 

To bis excellency William Moore^ esq, president of 

the supreme executive council of the state 

of Pennsylvania, 

Sir, 

I confider this very polite addrcfs of the 
fupreme executive council, as a frefli mark 
of that attention which I have ever ex- 
perienced from them. 

My fervices I confider as my country's 
due, and when they meet the approbation 
of my fellow citizens, I Ihall ever efleem 
myfelf happy in fo agreeable a reward. 

The late fuccefs of the American arms, 
at York-town, in Virginia, fo vigouroufly 
aided by the noble exertions of our gene- 
rous ally, if properly improved, will, I 
X 



242 7PHE LIFE OF 

doubt not, be attended with the happieft 
confequences. 

I nnoft fincerely thank you, fir, for your 
kind wifhes fpr my perfonal profperity, and 
beg you to be aflured that a full eftablifh- 
ment of peace, liberty, and independence 
to|this, and theother United States of Ame- 
rica, is the mod ardent wifh of. 

Sir, your mod obedient, 

very humble fervant, 
G» Washington, 

Wafhington now returned with the princi- 
pal part of his army to the vicinity of Nev/« 
York, and went into winter quarters. The 
only appt^arances of an exifting war were 
fomelkirmilhes and predatory excurfions. 

On the 5th of May, 1782, sir Guy Carle- 
ton arrived at New-York, being appointed 
to command the Britifh army in America. 
Immediately on his arrival, he acquainted 
Walliington and Congrefs, that negociations 
for a peace had been commenced at Paris. 
Meanvv'hile the Britifh troops evacuated all 
their pofls in Soudi Carolina and Georgia, 
and retired to the main army at New-York. 

Preliminary articles were figned at Paris 
on the 30th of November,U782, by mr. Ykz- 
herbeit an^! mr. Ofwakl/on the part of Great 
Britain, and by dodor Franklin, mr. i\dams. 
mr. Jay, and mr. Lawrens, on the part of the 



6E0RGE WASHINGTON. 243 

United States. By this treaty his majcfty ac- 
knowledged the thirteen United colonics to 
be "free, fovereign, and independent dates.'' 
In this conteft it appears, from the moil 
aiihentic eftimates, that the Americans loft 
80,000 men, and Great-Britain upwards of 
40,000. Such was the termination of a war, 
which exalted the United States of Ameri- 
ca to anindependant rank among the nations 
of the earth. 



CHAPTER XXVIL 

Discontent of the army.,,,Anonmyous Summons, 
Production. ,»,, Washington's orders.,,, Address., 
Resolution oj the officers. 



x\S military operations were now entirely 
fufpended, it was no longer neceflary to 
keep the American army embodied. The 
ftates, however, were unable to pay them 
the arrears due for their ineftimable fervices, 
and thofe men who had fpent the prime 
of their days in defence of their country, 
were now to be difmiflfed without a reward. 
An attempt was made by an anonymous 
papers to incite the officers and foldiers to 
revolt, Wafhington, who was then in the 
camp, faw the danger, and exerted his influ- 
ence to prevent it. 



244 THE LIFE OP 

Some time in December laft, the army 
came to a ferious determination to addrefs 
congrefs upon the fubje(5l of their griev- 
ances, which had become almoft intolerable. 
A memorial was drawn up and agreed to, 
by a committee of the army, in which their 
wifhes are thus dated : 

" 1. Prefent pay. 

" 2. A fettlement of account of the ar- 
rearages of pay, and fccurity for what is 
due. 

" 3. A commutation of the half-pay al- 
lowed by different rtfolutions of congrefs 
for an equivalent in grofs. 

«' 4. A fettlement of the accounts of de- 
ficiences of rations, and comj enfations. 

*' 5. A fettlement of the accounts ofde- 
ficiences of cloathinp: and compenfation. 

Major-general M'Dougal and two field 
officers were appointed to lay this memorial 
before congrefs, and make report to the ar- 
my of their proceedings as foon as pofTible. 
After nearly two months attendance, a letter 
was received from the commifTioners in- 
forming the army that " nothing of mo- 
ment had yet been decided for them." 

Upon this came forth the fummons 
No. 1. accompanied by the firft addrefs. 
No; 2. after this fketch, the papers which 
follow will explain themfelves. 



0EORGE WASHINGTON, 245 

(No. 1.) 
A meeting of the general and field of- 
ficers is requeftcd on Tuefday next, at ten 
o'clock, at the public- building. A com- 
mifTioned officer from each company and 
proper reprefcntation from the ftafF is ex- 
peeled. It is the objed of this convention 
to confider the late letters from our com- 
miffioners now in Philadelphia, and what 
further mcafures, (if any) fhould be adopt- 
ed to obtain redrefs which they fecm to have 
folicited in vain. 

(No. 2.) 

To tht Officers of the Army, 

Gentlemen, 

A fellow- foldier whofe interefl and affec- 
tions bind him ftrongly to you, whofe pad 
fufferings have been as great, .and whofe fu- 
ture fortunes may be as defperate as yours — 
would beg leave to addrefs you. 

Age has its claims, and rank is not with- 
out its pretenfions to advice, but though un- 
fupported by both, he flatters himfelf, that 
the plain language of fincerity and experi- 
ence, will neither be unheard nor unre- 
garded. 

Like many of you, he loved private life, 
and left it with regret. He left it, deter- 
mined to retire from the field, with the ne- 
cctTity that called him to it, and not till 



146 THE LIFE OF 

then — not till the enennies of his country, 
the flaves of power, and the hirelings of 
jnjuftice, were connpelled to abandon their 
fchemes, and acknowledge America as ter- 
rible in arms, as fhe had been humble in 
remonftrance. With this obje6l in view, 
he has long fhared in your toils and min- 
gled in your dangers. He has felt the cold 
hand of poverty, without a murmur, and 
has feen the growing infolence of wealth, 
without a figh — But too much under the 
diredlion of his wiflies, and fometimes 
weak enough to midake defire for opinion, 
he has till lately — very lately, believed in 
thejuftice of his country. He hoped, that 
as the clouds of adverfity fcattered, and 
as the funfhine of peace and better fortune 
broke in upon us, the culdncis and feverity 
of government would relax, and that, more 
than juflice, that gratitude would blaze forth 
upon thofe hands which had upheld her 
in the daikeft ages of her palTage, from 
impending fervitude to acknowledged inde- 
pendence. But faith has its limits as well as 
temper, and there aie points beyond which 
neither can be llretched, without finking 
into cowardice, or plunging into credulity. 
This, my friends, 1 conceive to be your 
iituation. Hurried to the very verge of 
both, another (lep would ruin you for ever. 
To be tame and unprovoked when injuries 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 24f 

prefs hard upon vou, is more than weaknefsj 
but to look up for kinder ufage, without one 
raanly effort of your own, would fix your 
charadler, and fhow the world how richly 
you deferve thofe chains you broke. To 
guard againfl: this evil, let us take a view 
of the ground upon which we now (land, 
and thence carry our thoughts forward for a 
monnent into the unexplored field of ex- 
pediency. 

After a purfuit of ieven years, the objedl 
for which you fet out is at length brought 
within your reach. Yes, my friends, that 
fuffcring courage of yours, was adlive once— - 
it has conduced the United States of Amer- 
ica through a doubtful and bloody war. It 
has placed her in the chair of independency, 
and peace returns again to blefs — whom ? 
A country courting your return to private 
life, with tears of gratitude, and fmiles of ad- 
miration. Long to divide with you that in- 
dependency which your gallantry has given, 
and thofe riches which your wounds have 
prefcrved ? Is this the cafe ? or is it rather a 
country that tramples upon your rights, dif- 
dains your cries and infults vour diftreffes ? 
Have you not, more than once, fuggefted 
your wifhes, and made known your wants 
to congrefs ? Wants and wifhes which gra- 
titude and policy fhould have anticipated, ra- 
ther than have evaded. — And have vou not 



248 THE LIFE or 

lately, in the meek language of entreating 
mennorials, begged from their juftices, what 
you could no longer expedl from their fa- 
vour ? How have you been anfwered 5 Let 
the letter which you are called to confider 
to-morrow, make the reply. 

If this then be your treatment, while the 
fwords you wear are neceflary for the 
defence of America, what are you to expedt 
from peace, when your voice fhall fink, 
and your flrength dilTipate hv divifion ? 
When thofe very (words, the inftruments 
and companions of your glory, fhall be taken 
from your fides, and no remaining mark 
of military d-'ilindions be left, but your 
wounds, inlirmitieG, and fears ? Can you 
then confent to be the only fufferers by this 
revolution, and retiring from the field, grow 
old in poverty, wretchednefs and contempt ? 
Can you confent to wade through the vile 
mire of dependancy, and owe the miferable 
remnant of life to charity, which has hitherto 
been fpent in honour ?— If you can — -go — 
and carry with you the jefi; of tories, and the 
fcorn of whigs, the ridicule, and, what is 
worfe, the pity of the world. Go, ftarve, 
and be forgotten! But if your fpitit fhould 
revolt at this ; —if you have fenfe enough to 
difcover, and fpirit fufficient to oppofe ty- 
ranny, whatever garb it may afiume .; wheth- 
er it be the plain coat of republicanifm, or 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 249 

the fplendcd robe of royalty j — if you have 
yet learned to difcriminate between a pur- 
pofe and a caufe — between men and princi- 
ples — awake — attend to your fituation, and 
redrefs yourfclves. If the prefent moment 
be loli, every future effort is in vain; and 
your threats then will be as empty as your 
entreaties now. 

I would advife you, therefore, to come 
t© fome final opinion, upon vyhat you can 
bear, and what you will fufFcr. If your 
determination be in any proportion to your 
wrongs, carry your appeal from the juftice 
to the fears of government. Change the 
milk-and-water flyle of your m;-morials j 
affume a bolder tone — decent, but lively, 
fpirited, and determined — and fufpedl the 
men who would advife to more moderation, 
or longer forbearance. Let two or three 
men, who can feel as well as write, be ap- 
pointed to draw up a latl remonflrance j for 
I would no longer give it the foothing, fofr, 
unfuccelsful epithet of memorial. — Let it 
reprcfent in language that will neither dif- 
honour vou by its rudemfs, nor betray you 
by its fears, what has been promifed by con- 
grefsj and what has been performed, — how 
long and how patiently you have fuffered — 
how little you have aflced — and how much 
of that little has been denied. Tell them, 
that though you were the firfl and would 



250 THE LIFE OF 

wiih to be the lad to encounter danger i 
that though defpair itfelf can never drive 
you into difhonour — it may drive you from 
the iield — that the wound often irritated and 
never healed, may, at length, become in- 
curable, and that the flighteft mark of in- 
dignity from congrefs now, muft operate 
like the grave, and part you for ever — that 
in any political event, the army has its al- 
ternative. If peace, that nothing fhall fe- 
parate you from your arms but death. If 
war, that courting the aufpices and inviting 
the dire6lion of your illuftrious leader, you 
will retire to fome yet unlettled country, 
fmile in your turn, and '^ mock when their 
fear cometh on."— — But let it reprefent 
alfo, that fnould they comply with the re- 
queft of your late memorials, it would 
make you more happy, and them more re- 
fpe(5table. That the while the war (hould 
continue, you would follow their ftandard 
to the field—and that when it came to an 
end, you would withdraw into the fliade of 
private life, and give the world another fub- 
je<51: of wonder and applaufej— ^/j^r/wy i//V- 
torious over its enemies---vf Various over itself^ 

(No. 3.) 
GENERAL ORDERS. 

Head'^iartersi March 11^ 1781. 

The commander in chief having heard 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 251 

that a general meeting of the officers of the 
arnny was propofed to be held this day at 
the new-building, on an anonymous paper, 
which was circulated yefterday by fome un- 
known perfon, conceives, although he is 
fully perfuaded that the good fenfe of the 
officers would induce them to pay very little 
attention to fuch an irregular invitation, 
his duty as well as the reputation and true 
intereft of the army, require his difappro- 
bation of fuch diforderly proceedings. At 
the fame time, he requefts the general and 
field officers, with one officer ^ from each 
company, and a proper reprefentation of the 
ftaff arm.y, will afiemble at twelve o'clock, 
on Saturday next, at the new-building, to 
hear the report of the committee from the 
army to congrefs. After mature deliberation, 
they will devife what farther meafures ought 
to be adopted as the mofc rational and beft 
calculated to attain the juft and important 
objed in view. The fenior officer in rank 
prefent will be pleafed to prefide, and re- 
port the refuit of their deliberations to the 
commander in chief. 

(No. 4.) 

Address to the oj^cers of the armjy dated \2lb oj 
Marclh 1783. 

Gentlemen, 
The author of a late addrefs, anxious to 
deferve though he fnouid fail to angage 



252 THE LIFE OF 

your eftcem j and determined at every rilk 
to unfold your duty and dilcharge his own, 
would beg the farther indulgence of a few 
moments attention. Awa c of the coyneis 
with which his laft letter would be received, 
he felt himfelf neither difappointed nor de- 
ceived with the caution it has met. He well 
knew that it fpokc a language which, till 
now, had been heard but in v\hifp r^, an^ that 
it contained fome fentiments which confi- 
dence itfelf would have breathed with dif- 
truft. But the^ir lives have bee-n fhort, and 
their obfervation imperfed indeed, who 
have yet to learn, that alarms hiive been 
falfe — that the befl defigns have often been 
obliged to afTume the word afpedt ; and that 
fynonymous as furprize and difafter may be 
in military phrafe, they convey in moral and 
political meaning, ideas as different as they 
are diflindl:. 

Sufpicion, deteftibleasitis in private life, 
is the lovelieft trait of political charadler. 
It prompts you to enquiry, bars the door 
againft defign, and opens every avenue to 
truth. It was the firft to oppofe a tyrant 
here, and (till ftands centinel over the liber- 
ties of America. With this belief it would ill 
become me, to flifle the voice of this guard- 
ian, a guardian who authorized by circum- 
ftances digefted into proofs, has hcrfelf giv- 
en birth to the addrefs you have read, and 



«ORGE WASHINGTON. ±53 

and now goes forth amongft you, with a 
rcqueft to all, that it may treat you fairly : 
that it nnay be confidered before it be abuf- 
cd, and not condennned before it be tor- 
tured ; convinced that, in a fearch after er- 
ror, truth will appear, that apathy itfelf 
will grow warm in the purfuit, and though 
it may be the laft to adopt her advice, it 
is the firft to ad upon it. 

The general order of yefterday, which 
the weak may miftake for difapprobation, 
and the defigning dare to reprefent as fuch, 
wears, in my opinion, a very different com- 
plexion, and carries in it a very oppofite 
tendency. Till now, the commander in 
chief, has regarded the fteps you have taken 
for redrcfs with good wiihes alone. His of- 
ficial filence has authorifed your meetings, 
and his private opinions fandified your 
claims. Had he didiked the objed in 
view, would not the fame fenfe of duty 
which forbade you from meeting on the 
third and feventh ? Is not the fame fubjed 
held up for your difcuffion ? And has it not 
pafied the feal of office, and taken all the 
folemnity of an order ? This will give 
fyftem to your proceedings, and (lability 
to your refolves. It will ripen {peculation 
into fad: and while ic adds to the unani- 
mity, it cannot lelTen the independency of 
your ientiments, Icmay be neceilary to 
Y 



254 THE LIFE OF 

add upon this fubjed, that, from the in- 
junflion with which the general orders clofe, 
every man is at liberty to conclude, that the 
^•eport to be made to head-quarters is in- 
tended for congrefs. Hence will arife ^oth- 
er motive for that energy which has been 
recommended. For, can you give the lie to 
the pathetic defcriptions of your reprefenta- 
livesj or the more alarming prediffion of 
your friends ? To fuch as make a want of 
fignature an objedion to opinions, I reply, 
that it matters very little who is the author 
of fentiments which grow out of feelings, 
and apply to your wants ; that in this in- 
ftance, diffidence fuggefted what experience 
enjoins j and that while 1 move on the high 
road of argument and advice, v.-hich is open 
to ail, I fliall rem»ain the fole confident of 
m.y own fecret. But, Ihould the time come, 
when it ihall be neceffary to depart from this 
general line, and hold up any individual 
amiOngft ycu as an objedl of the refentm.ent 
m contem.pt of the reii, I thus publicly 
pledge my honour as a foldier; and my ver- 
acity as a man, that I then will afliime a 
vifible exiftence, and give my name to the 
arrny, with as little referveas I now give my 
opinions. 

(No. 5.) 

Cautonment^ 15 March, 178", 

Agreeable to the general order of the 1 Ath 



OEORGE WASHINGTON, ^5^ 

^nll. theofEcers of the American army, be- 
ng convened., his excellency thecommiander 
in chief was pleafed to open the meeting with 
the following address to them on the fubje^ 
of their being called together ^ which, with 
fome other papers, was left for the confidera- 
tion of the aliembly, the honourable major 
i^eneral Gates being Prefident as tlie fenior 
officer prefenr. 

Gentlemen, 

By an anonymous fummons, an attemipt 
lias been made to convene you together. 
How inconfiftentj with the rulesj of propri- 
ety : and kowfubverfive of all order and dif- 
cipline, let the good fenfe of the army judge. 

In the moment o^this fummons, another 
anonymous production was put into circu-' 
lation, addreiied more to the feelings and 
paffions than to the reafon and judgment 
of the army. The author of the pieces is 
entitled to much credit forthe &oodnefs of his 
pen 'y and I could wilTi he had as much credit 
for the re(fi:itude ef his heart ; for, as men fee 
through diiTiCulties, and are induced by there- 
fieding faculties of the mindj to ufe different 
means to attain the fame end, the author of the 
piece fhould have had more ciiarity than to 
mark for fufpicion, the man who fhould re- 
commend moderation and longer forbear* 
ance or in other words^ who fliould not think 



256 THE LIFE •¥ 

as he thinks, and ad as headvifes. But he had 
another plan in view, in which candor and 
liberality of fentiment, regard tojuftice and 
Jove of our country, have no part 3 and he 
was right to infmuate the darkcft fufpicions 
io cffedl the biackefl: defigns. That the 
addrefs is drawn with great art : that it is in- 
tended to anfwer the moil infidious pur- 
pofe ; that it is intended to iniprefs the mind 
with an idea of premeditated injuflicein the 
fovereign power of the United States and 
roufe all thofe refentments which mud una- 
voidably flow from fuch a belief that the firft 
mover of this fcheme, whoever he may be, 
intended to take advantage of the paflions 
while they were warmed with the recolledion 
of pad diilrefles, without giving time for 
cool, deliberate thinking and that compof- 
ure of mind which is necfTary to give dignity 
and ftability tomeafurcs, is rendered too ob- 
vious, by the mode of conducing the bufi- 
nefs, to need other proof than a referrence 
to the preceding. 

Thus much, gentlemen, I have thought 
it incumbent on me to obferve to you, to 
fhew on what principles I oppofed the hafty, 
irregular meeting which was propofed to be 
held onTuefdaylall, and not becaufe I want- 
ed a difpofition to give you every opportu- 
nity, confiftcnt with your own honour, and 
the dignity of the army, to make known your 



GEORGfi WASHINGTON. 257 

grievances. If my condu6l heretofore, lias 
not evinced to you> that Ihave been a faith- 
ful friend to the army, my declaration of it 
at this time would be equally unavailing and 
improper. But as I was among the firft who 
embarked in the caufe of our common coun- 
try, as I have never left your fide one mo- 
ment, but when called from you on public 
duty; as I have been the conilant compan- 
ion and witnefs of yourdiflrefifes,' and not a- 
mong the lall to feel and acknowledge your 
merits ; as I have ever confidered my own 
aiilitary reputation as infeparably connecled 
with that of t1ic army ; and my heart has 
ever expanded with joy, when I heard its 
praifes, and my indignation has rifen, when 
the mouth of dctradion has" been opened a- 
gainfr k:, it can fcarcelybefuppofed at this 
lad (lage of the war, that I am indifferent,to 
its interell. But how are they to be promot- 
^d ? The way is plain, fays that anonym )us 
addrefier : *^ If war continues, remove into 
the unfettled country ; there eflabrifh your- 
fejves, and leave an ungrateful country to 
defend irfelf 1" But whom are we to defend ? 
Our wives, our children, and our f:.rms and 
other property which we have left behind us? 
Or in this ftate of hofjiile feparation, are w^ 
to take the two firft, the latter cannot be re- 
^Tioved^ to perifn in a v^ildernefswith hunger, 
cdd^ and nakednefs ? If peace takes placej 



^BS THE LIFE OF 

"never flieath your fword/' fays he " until 
you have obtained full and ample juice." 
This dreadful alternative of either deferting 
our country in the extremcft hour of her dif- 
trefs, or turning our arms againft it, which 
is the apparent objed, unlefs congrefs can 
be compelled into inflant compliance, has 
fomething fo fhocking in it, that humanity 
revolts at the idea. My God ! what can this 
writer have in view by recommending fuch 
meafures ? Can he be a friend to the army ? 
Can he be a friend to the country ? Rather 
is he not an infiduous foe ? Some emiflary, 
perhaps from New- York, plotting the ruin 
of both, by fowing the feeds of difcord and 
reparation between the civil & military pow- 
ers of the continent ? And what a compliment 
does Ijp pay to our underftandings, when he 
recommends meafures, in either alternative, 
impradlicable in their nature ? But here gen- 
tleman, I will drop the curtain, becaufe it 
would be as imprudent in me to alTign my 
reafons for this opinion, as it would be infulr- 
ing to your conception to fuppofe you flood 
in need of them. A moments refledtion will 
convince every difpaffionate mind of the 
phyfical impofiibility of carrying either pro- 
jedV into execution. There might, gcntle- 
inen, be an impopriety in my taking notice, 
in this adc^relTes to you of any anonymous 
produdion^ but the manner in which this 



GKORCfi WASHINGT(5^^. 259 

performance has been introduced to the ar- 
my, the efFed it was intended to have, to- 
gether with fome other circumftances, will 
amply juftify my obfervations upon the ten- 
dency of that writing. 

With rerpe6t to the advice given by the 
author, to fufpeft the man who (hall recom- 
mend moderation and longer forbearance, I 
fpurn it as every man that regards liberty 
and revers the juftice for which we contend, 
undoubtedly mud ; for, if men are to be 
precluded from offering their fentiments on 
a matter which may involve the confidera- 
tion of mankind, rcafon is of no ufe. The 
freedom of fpeech may be taken away, and, 
dumb and filent, we may be led, like fheep 
to the flaughter. I cannot in juftice to my 
own belief, and what I have great reafon to 
believe is the intention of congrefs, conclude 
this addrefs, without giving it as my decided 
opinion, that that honourable body enter- 
tains exalted fentiments of the fervices of 
the army, and from full convidtion of its 
merits and fufferings,will do it complete juf- 
tice : that their endeavours to difcover and 
eftablifh funds have been unwearied, and will 
not ceafe until they have fucceeded, 1 have 
not a doubt. 

But like all other large bodies, where 
there is a variety of different intereftsto re- 
concile, their deliberations are flow. Why 



260 THE LIFE OF 

then Ihoiild we diftruft them? and in con- 
fequence of that diftruft, adopt ineafures 
which would cad a fhadc over that glory 
which has been fo juftly acquired, and tar- 
nifh the reputation of an army which has 
been celebrated through all Europe for its 
fortitude and patriotifm ? And for what is 
this done ? To bring the obje6t we feek 
for nearer ? No ; moft certainly in my 
opinion, ft will call it at a greater diflance. 

For myfelf, and I take no merit in the 
•affurance, being induced to it from princi- 
ples of gratitude, veracity, and juftice, a 
grateful fenfe of the confidence you have 
ever placed in me, a recolleclion of the 
cheerful afliflance and pronnpt obedience 
I have experienced from you, under every 
vicifTitude of fortune, and the fincere af- 
fedion I feel for the army 1 had fo long the 
honour to command, will oblige me to de- 
clare in this public and folemn manner, 
that in the attainment of complete juilice 
for all your toils and dangers, and in the 
gratification of every wiOi, fo far as may 
be done confiflently with the great duty 1 
owe my country, and thofe powers I am 
bound to refped, you may freely command 
uiy fervices to the utmofl: of my abilities. 

While I giv^e you thefe affurances and 
pledge myicif ;n the n>oil plain rranner 
iGOjexert wkatever ability i ampofieiled ofm 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 26i 

your favour, let me intreat vou, gentlemen, 
on your part, not to take any meafures, which, 
viewed in the calm light of reafon, williefTen 
the dignity and fully the glory you have 

hitherto maintained. Let me requeft you 

to rely on the plighted faith of your country, 
and place a full confidence in the purity of 
the intentions of congrefs, that previous to 
yourdiffolution, as an ai*my, they will caufe 
all your accounts lo be fairly liquidated, as 
direded in the refolutions which werepub- 
liihed to you two days ago, and that they will 
adopt the molt effedVual meafures in their 
power to render ample juftice to you, for 
your faithful and meritorious fervice. And 
let me conjure you, in the name of our com- 
mon country, as you value your own facred 
honour, as you refpedt the facred rights of 
humanity, and as you regard the military and 
national charafler of America, to exprefs 
your utmoft horror and deteilation of the 
man, who, wifbes under any fpecious pre- 
tences, to overturn the liberties of our coun- 
try, who wickedly attcmps to open the flood- 
gates of civil difeord, and deluge our rifing 
empire with blood. 

By thus determining and thus a6ling, you 
will purfbe the plain direft road to the at- 
tainment of your wifhes ; you will defeat 
the infidious defigns of. our enemies, who 
are compelled to refort from open force to 



S62 fHft LIFE Oi? 

fecret artifice. — — You willglve one mott 
proof of nnexampled patrTotifm ancl patient 
virtue, rifing fuperior to th'6 preflure of the 
moil complicated lufFerings ; and you will 
by the dignity of your condud, afford oc- 
cafion for poilerity to fay, when fpeak*. 
irig of the glorious example you have ex- 
hibited to m:inlcindj — had this day been 
wanting, the world had never feen the laft 
age of perfedtion to which human nature 
is capable of attaining, 

(Copy.) 

G. Washingtonc 



March 15, 1803. 

His excellency having withdrawn, on s 
iTiotion made by general Knox, and fecond* 
ed by brigadier-general Putnam, 

Rcfolved, That the unanimous thanks 
of the ofBc-ers of the army be prefented to 
his excellency the commander in chief, for 
his excellent addrefs, and the comnnunica- 
tions he has been pleafcd to make to them j 
and to alTure him, that the officers recipro- 
cate his affedlionate exprefTions, with the 
greateft fincerity of which the human heart 
is capable. 

The addrefs from the army to congrefs; 
the report of the committee from the ar- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. S63 

my ; and the rcfolutions of congrefs of the 
25th of January, being read. 

On a motion of general Putnam., fecond- 
edjby general Handi : ,^ ,.. 

voted, That a committee be appointed 
to draw up immediately Tome refolutions 
exprefiive of the bufinefs before us, and to 
report in half an hogr-^that this commit- 
tee cohfift of one ^en^ral, one field-officera 
and one caprain.-— — ^^T hat general Kiiox, 
colonel Brooks, and captain Howard, com- 
pofe ^he faid committee. 

The report of the committee having 
been brought in, and fully confidered, 

Refolved unanimoufly. That at the com- 
mencement of the prefent war, the oiti^ 
cers of the American arnriy engaged in the 
fervice pf their country, from the purefl love 
and attachment to the rights and liberties of 
human nature, which motives ftill exift in 
the higheft degree; and that circumftances 
of diftrefs or danger fliail induce a conduift 
that may tend to fully the reputation and 
glory which they haye acquired, at the price 
of their blood and eight years faithful fer« 
vices. 

Refolved unanimoufly. That the army 
continue to have an unlliaken confidence 
in the virtue of congrefs and their country, 
and are fully convinced that the reprefenta- 
lives of America, will ^* not dijband 9X 



264? THE LIFE or 

difpcrfe the army until their accounts are 
liquidated, the balances accurately afcer- 
tained, and adequate funds eUablifhed for 
paynaent. And in this arrangement the 
officers expedl that the half pay, or a com- 1 
mutation of it, fhould be cfficacioufly com- ' 
prehended. 

Refolved unanimoufly. That his excel- 
lency the commander in chief, berequcft-^ 
ed to write to his excellency the prefident 
of congrefs, earneftly entreating the moft 
fpeedy decifion of that honourable body> 
upon the fubjefe of our late addrcfs, which 
was forwarded by a committee of the army, 
fomc of whom are waiting upon congrefs 
for the refult. In the alternative of peace 
or war, the event would be highly fatisfac- 
tory, and would produce immediate tran- 
quility in the minds of the army, and pre- 
vent any farther machinations of defigning 
men, to few difcord between the civil and 
military power of the United States. 

Refolved unanimoufly, That the officers 
of the American army view with abhor- 
rence, and reje6t with difdain, the infamous 
propofitions contained in a late anonymous 
addrefs to the officers of the army, and re- 
fent with indignation the fecrec attempts of 
fame unknovm perfon to colle-d the officers 
together, in a manner totally fubverfive of 
all difcipiine and good order. 



GEORSS WA3HfNGT0N. 265 

Refolved unanimoufly, That the thanks 
of the officers of the army be given to the 
committee who prefented to congrefs the 
late addrefs of the army, for the wifdom 
and prudence \yith which they have con- 
dueled that bufinefs.; that a copy of the 
proceedings of this day be tranfiTiitced by 
the prefident to nrtajor-general M'Dougall, 
and that he be requeiled to continue his fo- 
iicitations at congrefs, until the objeds of 
his miiTion are accompliflied. 

The meeting was then diflblved. 

Horatio Gates. 

A^<3/. ^'c'«. president. 

The fortitude and patriotifm of Wafh- 
ington were, in no inftance of more eficn- 
tial fervice to America, than on this mo- 
mentous occafion. Had that thirft for am* 
bition and pride, exifted in his head or 
heart,' this discontent would have furnifhed 
him wkh every opportunity to put these 
principles into adion, but having more 
honourable objedls in view, inilead of mak- 
ing the difcontent ofthe army inflrumental 
to his own ambition, and ufurping the gov- 
ernment, this magnanimous patriot iborhed 
the palTions of his foldiers, and preferved 
inviolatp the liberties of his country, 



266 TriE LIFE ot 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

Proclamation of congress,.*. Was bingt on' s farenveli 
orders^ at Rocky'hil!..,.Ans%uer of the army..»% 
NeiV'Tork evacuated. ...Farewell address to his 

officers Mesigns his comiriission,.,,. Answer of 

■congress. ..Arrival at Mount Vernont .tDescriptioa 
of Mount Vernon, 

1 O WARDS the clofe of the year, 1783, 
congress ifliied a proclamation, in which 
the armies of the United States were ap- 
plauded for their ** long, eminent and faith- 
ful fervices.'^ Congrefs then declared it 
to be their pleafure, '* that fuch part of their 
federal armies as flood engaged to ferve 
during the war, fhould, from and after the 
3d day of November next, be abfolutely 
difcharged from the faid fervice/' 

On the 29th, the commander in chief was 
diredled by them to difcharge all the troops 
in the fervice of the United States, who 
were in Pennfylvania, or to the fouthward 
thereof, except the garriion of fort Pitt. 

Walbington's "farewell orders to the 
armies of the United States," dated Rocky- 
hill, near Frincetown, November 2, 1783," 
are a pathetic exhortatiog, in which the 
difinteieftcdnefs of the patriot is blended 
with the v.'ifdom of the philofopher, 1: 



CEORCE WASHINCTONo 267 

contains the following interefting and ina- 
prefiive pafTages : 

•^' It only remains for the connnnander in 
chief to addrefs himftlf once nnore, and 
that for the laft time, to the armies of the 
United States., however widely difperfcd the 
individuals who compofed them may be, 
and to bid them an affedionate, a long 
farewell. 

" It is univerfally acknowledged, that 
the enlarged profpecls of happinefs, open- 
ed by the confideration of our independence 
and fovereignty, almod exceed the power 
of defcription; and fhall not the brave men, 
who have contributed fo eHennally to t/iefe 
i/iellimable acquifitions, retiring vidorious 
from the field of war to the field of agri- 
CLiiturej participate in all the bleflings which 
have been obtained ? In fuch a republic, 
who will exclude them from the rights of 
citizens, and the fruits of their labours? 
To thofe hardy foldiers who are a(5luated by 
the fpirit of adventure, the fiflieries will af= 
ford annple and profitable employments.;, and 
the extenfave and fertile regions of the weft 
will yield a moft happy afylum to thofe who, 
fond of domeftic enjoyment, are feeking 
for perfonal independence. 

^' The commander in chief conc-eives 
little is now wanting to enable the foldiers 
to change the military character into that 



1268 THE ■ LIFE 01 

of a citizen, but that fleady and decent 
lenor of behaviour, which as generally di* 
ftinguifhed, not only the army under his 
immediate connmand, bur the different de- 
tachments and feparate armies, through the 
courfe of the warj from their good fenfe 
and prudence, he anticipates the ha-i^picft 
confequcnccs -, and while he congratulates 
them on the glorious occafion which ren- 
ders their fervices in the field no longer ne- 
ceifary, lie wifhes toexprefs the (Irong obli- 
gations he feels himfelf under, for the afTifl"- 
ance he has received from every clafs, and 
in every inflance. To the various branches 
of the army, the general takes this laft and 
folemn opportunity of profefTing his invi- 
olable attiichment and friendOiip. He wiflies 
more than bare proftffions were in his pow- 
er ; that he was really able to be ufcrful to 
them all in future life. And being now to 
conclude thef<i his laft public orders, to take 
his ultimate leave, in a fhort time, of the 
military charader, and to bid a final adieu ^ 
to the armies he has fo long had the honour j 
to cominand, he can only again offer, in 
their behalf, his recommendations to their 
grateful country, and his prayers to the God 
of armies. May ample juflice be done 
them here, and may the choiceft of hea- 
ven's favours, both here and hereafter, at- 
tend the fe who, under the "^di vine aufpices. 



GEORQE WASHINGTOir* 269 

Hi ? Ji ? . : ■ ■ , , ; 

have fecured innumerable bleflings for 
others ! With thefe wifhes, and this bene- 
didlion, the comnnander in chief is about 
to retire from fervice. The curtain of re- 
paration will foon be drawn, and the milita- 
ry fcene tohim will be clofed for ever 1 " 

To this addrefs, the army that remained 
at Weft Point, on the banks of the Hudfon, 
fent a moft refpedful and affedtionate an- 
fwer. After returniiig thanks to their ge- 
neral, for his exertions in their favour, they 
exprefs their feelings in the following bold 
and figurative language: 

" Regardlefs of prefent fufferings, -we 
looked forward to the end of our toils and 
dangers, to brighter fcenes in profped* 
There we behold the genius of our country^ 
dignified by our fovereignty and indepen- 
dence, fupported by jultice, and adorned 
with every liberal virtue. There we faw 
patient huft)andry fearlefs extend her cul- 
tured fields, and animated commerce fpread 
lier fails to every wind. There we beheld 
fair fcience lift her head, with all the arts 
attending in her train. There, bleft with 
freedom., we faw the human mind expand i 
and throwing afide the refrraints which con- 
fined it to the narrow 'bounds of country j, 
It embraced the worlcL Thofe animating 
profpeds are {now changed, and changing 
m realities i and actively to have coatribut- 



^70 ' Vhe" L~iPE of' 

ed to their produ<Sion> is our pride, our 

glory." . 

New-York was evacuated by the Brltifh 
troops about three weeks after the Ameri- 
can army was diibandedf and Wafhington^ 
haying finilhed the great work of the re- 
volution, and founded a republic, wifhed 
£0 retire from the eye of obfervation to the 
peaceful rural fliades of his patrimonial in- 
heritance. Accordingly, he took leave of 
his officers in the mod folemn manner. 
Having been previously aflembled for that 
purpofe, Wafhington joined them, and, 
calling for a glafs of wine, he addreffed them 
in the follow! na; words : " With a heart full 
of love and gratitude, I now take leave of 
you ', I mod devoutly wifli that your latter 
•days may be as profpcrous and happy, as 
your former ones have been glorious and 
honourable.'' The officers were deeply af- 
fected; they came up to him fuccefTively, 
and he took an afFe6lionate leave of each. 
He then left the room-5 and pafled between 
the ranks of a corps of light infantry thatlin« 
ed his way to the fide of the North river. — 
The officers followed hi in in a folemn filent 
train ; their eyes were fuffosed with tears. — ^ 
They felt a ftrong emotion of regret at 
parting with a hero who had participated 
•their dangers, and fo often led them to glo- 
ry. When Wafnington entered the barges 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, lit 

he turned towards his , fellow-fQldiers with a 
countenance expreflive of his feelings, and 
waved his hat as a laft adieu ♦ 

He proceeded to Annapolis to refign his 
cornmiftlon to congress : hi« progress was 
marked by public rqoicings ; triumphal 
arches were erected at the entrance of every 
town and . village through which he paflfed. 
A train of beautiful young virgins, robed 
in white, met him' with fongs ofgratulation 5 
they (Irewed laurels and flowers before the 
benign hero, who moved flowly along, oa 
ti white charger. The name of Walliing- 
ton excited an univerfal emotion. Wom.en 
and children throned the doors and windows, 
eager tO behold the deliver of their coun- 
try; banids of mufic filled the air with 
fprightly melody, while the men who ha^ 
fought under the banners of liberty, hailed 
their general with acclamations. Wafhing- 
ton received this tribute of public gratitude 
with his charaderidic benignity, while his 
-boibm participated the general happinefs. 

On his arrival at Annapolis, he inform- 
'ed congrefs of his intended rerignation ; 
they refolved it fhould be in a public au- 
dience, and on the day appointed numbers 
of diflinguiflifd perfons attended, to be- 
hold the interefting fcene. General Wa(h- 
ington addi-efied the Prefident in thefel- 
lowin£ woriis.: 



j27^ tnu LIFE ojt 

*^ Mr. Prefident, 

"The great events on which my refigna- 
tion depended, having at length taken place, 
I have now the honour of offering my fin- 
cere congratulations to congrefs, and of 
prefenting my felf before them to furrender 
into their hands the truft committed to me, 
and to claim the indulgence of retiring from 
the fervice of my country. 

'^ Happy in the confirmation of our inde- 
pendence and fovereignty, and pleafed with 
the opportunity afforded the United States 
of becoming a relpet^able nation, I refign, 
with fatisfadion, the appointment I accept- 
ed with diffidence j a diffidence in my abil- 
ities to accomplifh fo arduous a tafk, which, 
•however, was fuperfeded by a confidence in 
the reditude of our caufe, the fupport of the 
fupreme power of the union, and the patron- 
age of heaven. 

"The fuccefsful 'termination of the war 
jias verified the moil fanguine expedationsi 
and my gratitude for the interpofition of 
.providence, and the afliftanrel have received 
from my countrymen, inrreafes v/ith every 
review of the momentous ^ontefi". 

" While I r-epeat my obligations to the 
army in general, I fhould do injuftice to my 
X3wn feelings, not to acknowSedge^ in this 
p-lace^ the^ecifiliar icrwiics and didinguilheii 



GEORG4S WASHINGTON'. 273 

merits of the perfons who had been attached 
to my perfon> i diirmg the war : it was im;*' 
pofTible the choice of confidential officers to 
compofe my family fhauld have been- more 
fortunate ilperm it me, sir, torecommend in 
particular thole who have continued in the 
fervice to the prefent moment, as worthy of 
the favourable notice and patronage of con- 
grefs. 

" L confider it as my indifpenfable duty 
to clofd this lail folemn ad of my official life, 
by commending the intcrefts of our deareft 
country to the protection of Almighty God ; 
and thofe who have the fuperintendence of 
them, to his holy keeping. 

" Having now finiihed the work affigned 
m.e, I retire from the great theatre of action j 
and bidding an affectionate farewell to this* 
auguil body, under whofe orders I have 
long acled, i here offer my commiffion, and 
take my leave of all the employments of 
public life." 

To this the Prendent returned the follow- 
ing anfvver : 

*' The United States, in congrcfs affem^ 
bled, receivewith emotions, too affeding for 
utterance, the folemn refignation of authori- 
ties under which you have led their troops 
with fuccefs, through; a perilous and doubt- 
ful war. 

^^ Called upon by your country to defend 



274 THE LIFE or '. 

its invaded rights, you had accepted the fa- 
crcd charge before, it had. formed alliances, 
and whiift it was witho u t friends or . a ' go-r 
vernmenc to fupport yon- .U. 

** You have conducted the great military 
conteft with wifdom and fortitude, invaria- 
bly regarding the rights of the civil power 
through all difailcrs and changes. You 
have, by the love and confidence of . your 
fellow-citizens, enabled theni to dispi?.y their 
martial genius, and tranfmit tlieir fame to 
pofterity. Having defendt^d chefta-ndard of 
liberty in this new world, having taught a 
leffon ufeful to thofe who rcfledl, and to thofe 
who feel opprefTion, you retire from the 
great theatre of a6lion Vi?ith the blelTing of 
your fellow-citizens; but the -glory of your 
^virtues will not terminate with your mili- 
tary command ; it will continue to animate 
remoteft ages/' 

Wafhington now haflened to Mount Ver- J 
jion, where he was welcomed by his afFec-# 
tionate confort, neighbours, arid domeflics, 
with every demonftration of joy ; and diveft- 
ing himfcif of the military robe, he once 
more afTumed the plain garb of the farm.er. 

Agriculture was his favourite purfuir. 
His eftate at Mount Vernon particularly en- 
gaged his attention, and was produdtive of 
large quantities of wheat, Indian corn, pota- 
toes, and flax^ befides flocks of fheep and 



GEORGE WA-SMINCTON, 27S 

herds of cattle. Under his eye his domeftics 
manufadured linen and woollen-cloth Effi- 
cient for his household, which confifted of 
nearly one'thoufand persons. He was vifit- 
ed by all foreigners who travelled in North 
America, and his h ofpi tali ty and polite- 
nefs enfured their efteenn, He kept a pack 
of hounds, and generally hunted once a 
week, accompanied by a party of gentle- 
men from Alexandria. 

His life was regulated by temperance j he 
arofe early, and after fpending the day in a 
variety of rural purfuits, retired to reft about 
9 o'clock. This was his invariablerule, ex- 
cept when vifitors required his polite atten- 
tion, His table was Ipread with the moft 
wholefome viands and pure wines, but he 
commonly dined on a fingle difh, which, with 
a few glafTes of wine, formed his repaft. — - 
He liberally patronifed an academy at Alex- 
andria, and encouraged the interior naviga- 
tion of the Powtamac; he was the benefactor 
fof the poor, and in fhort, like the fun to ve- 
gitation, his cheering influence and example 
promoted the happinefs of fociety where he 
refided. 

Here it may not be improper to give 
a defcription of the fpot that was confecrared 
by the prefcnce of a patriotic hero. Mount 
Vernon is fituaced on the Virginia bank of 
the PowtomaCj where it Is nearly two miles 



wide.- . This;ftoping mounts rife^ 200 fttt «^ 
hove the furfacc oi die rivers thefurnmit i$ 
about ten acres in extent, in the centre of 
which the manfion appears in m^jeftic fintv^ 
plicity. The front next the river is embel- 
lifhed by a portico 96 feet long, and 20 high, 
fupported by eight Doric colutions* The 
wings are adorned with groves of various 
flowering fhrubs and foreft treesy f}<,irted by 
two large gardens, and the whole is terminat- 
ed by the ftables at one extremity, and a 
green houfe, a fchool houfe, and a Servant's 
hall for the negro npechanics, at the other. 
The prorpe6t from the front is inexprefTjbly 
beautiful. A fm all woody park, that Rretch- 
cs along the bank oftbe Powtamac, preients 
to the eye herds of the i- nglifh deer and A- j 
mericsn wild deer, hounding among the 
thickets or feedtngon the herbage; theieob- 
je£ls, together with ; the velTris that glide a^ 
long the river, enliven thepiclurtiquefcene. 
Beyond a fmall creek, towards the north, an 
extenfive plain exhibits corn-fields and par--*! 
tures, with numerous fiocks anvi herds ; v.hile 
xhe broad expanfe of water, and thr diiiant 
woodlands, cultured hills, and vallrys, on the 
Maryland ihore, prefenf a rich variety of rur 
ral fcenery, which forms an admirable landT 
tcape<, 



GEORe'E WASJilUGTON. 377- 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Washington chosen President of the Convention 

Constitution of the United States Washington 

chosen President.., .Arrival at Neiv-Torlu., .Inaug- 
urated, .^.Inaugural speech, 

xN the peaceful fcenes, of Mount Vernon, 
Wafliington enjoyed the rational delights of 
rurallife from the year 1783 till the funn- 
mer of 1787, when he was chofen Prefi- 
dent of the Convention which met at Phi- 
ladelphia and framed the conftitution of 
the United States, which is as follows : 

CONSTITUTION. 

WE, the people of the United States, in 
order to form a more perfedl union, ePcablifli 
juflice, infure domeftic tranquility, provide 
for the common defence, promote the gene- 
ral welfire, and fecure the blelTing of liberty 
toourfelvcs and our pollerity, do ordain and 
eftablifh this conflitution for the United 
States of America. 

ARTICLE I. Section I. 

ALL legiflatlve powers herein <^.T2imtdi 
(liall be verted in a congrefs of the United 
States, which fliall confill of a fenats and 
hoiifccf reprefentatives. 
Aa 



27S: THE LIFE OP 

Sect. IL 

1. The houfe of reprefentatives fhall con- 
fift of member*^ chofen every fecond year, by 
the people of the leveral dates; and the elec- 
tors, in each ftate, fhall have the qualifica- 
tions requifite for ekdlors of the mcft nume- 
rous branch of the (late legiflature. 

2. No perfon fhall be a reprefentative, 
who fhall not have attained to the age of 25 
years^ and been feven years a citizen of the 
United States ; and who fhall not, when e- 
lecled, be an inhabitant of thatflate in which 
he fhall be chofen. 

3. Reprefentatives, and diredl taxes fhall 
be apportioned among the feveral ftates, 
which may be included in this union, accord- 
ing to their refpedlive numbers, which fhall 
bedeterminedbyaddingto the whole number 
of free perfons, including thofe bound to fer- 
vice for a term of years, and excluding In- 
dians not taxed, three-fifths of all other per- 
fons. The adlual enumeration fhall be made 
within three years after the firfl: meeting of 
the congrefs of the United States j and with- 
in every fubfcquent term often yearS;, in fuch 
a manner as they fhall by law direct. The 
number of the reprefentatives fhall not ex- 
ceed one for thirty thoufand : but each ftatc 
iliall have at leaft one reprefentative : and, 
until fuch enumeration fhall b': made, the 
ftate of New-Ham pOi ire fnall be entitled to 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. ^79 

choore three ; MafTachufetts eight ; Rhode- 
Ifland and Providcrnce plantations onej Con- 
n^^dicut five ; New-York fix; New-Jerfey 
four J Pennfylvania eight; Delaware one ; 
Maryland fix; Virginia ten ; North-Carolina 
five ; South-Carolina five ; and Georgia 
three. 

4. When vacancies happen in the repre- 
fentation from any fi:ate, the executive au- 
thority thereof fliilliiTue writs of eiedion to 
fill fuch vacancies. 

5, The houfe of reprefentatives fhall 
^hoofe their fpcaker and other officers : and 
fhall have the fole power of im peach nacnt* 

Sect. III. 

i. The fenateof the United States fbali 
be compofed of two fenators^from each ftate, 
chofen by the legiflature thereof, for fix 
years ; and each fenator fhail have one vote. 

2. Immediately after they fhall be afiem- 
bled, in confequence of the firft eledion, 
they Hiall be divided, as equally as may be, 
into three clafiTes. The feats of thefenators 
of the firft clafs fhall be vacated at the expir- 
ation of the fecond year; of the fecond clafs, 
at the expiration of the fourth year; and of 
the third clafs, at the expiration of the (ixth 
year ; fo that one third may be chofen every 
fecond year. And if vacancies happen, by 
Tefignation or otherwife, during the recels 
of the legiflature of any ftate, the executive 



280 THE LIFE OF 

thereof may make remporary appointments 
■until the next meeting of the legiHaturc^ 
which ihali then fill fuch vacancies. 

3. No perfon fhall be a fenator, who fhall 
not have attained to the age of thirty years, 
rind been nine years a citizen of the United 
States; and who iliall nor, when eie6led, be 
an inhahkant of that iVate for which he Ihall 
be choftrii. 

4. The vice prelident oFthe United States 
fnall be preiidenc of the fenarc ; but fhall 
have no vote, unlefs they be equall j divided. 

5. The fenate (hall choole iheir other cf- 
■j:ers^ and alio a prefident pro tempore, in 
ihc ahfciiceof the vice preHclentj or when 
he (hal! cxercife the office of prefident cf 
the Unhed States. 

6. The fenate fnail have the fole power 
to tiy ail impeachments. When fitting for 
thacpurpofe, they fliall be on oath or affirma- 
tion. When the prefident of the United ^ 
States is tried, the chief jullice Ihall prende: 
and no perfon Qiall be conv-icted without the 
concurrence of two-thirds of the members 
prefenr. 

7. Judgment, in cafe of impeachment, 
fliali not extend further than to removal 
from office, and a difqualffication to hold 
and enjoy any office of honour, trud, or 
profit^ under the United States. But the 
party convicted Pjall, neverthekfs, be liable 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 2S1 

and fubjedb to indidment, trial, judgment^ 
and punifhment according to law. 
Sect. IV. 

1. The times-, places, and manner of 
holding eledtions for fenators and reprefen- 
tatives, fhall be prefcribed in each Hate by 
the legiflacure thereof; but the congrefs 
may, at any time, by law, make or alter 
fuch regulations, except as to the places of 
choofing fenators. 

2. The congrefs fhall aiTtrmble, at leaft-, 
once in every year; and fuch meeting (hall 
be on the firft Monday in December, unlefs 
they fhall by law appoint a different day. 

Sect. V. 

1. Each houfe fhail be the judge of the 
ele6tions, returns, and qualifications of its 
own members: and a majority of each Ihall 
conilitute a quorum to do bufinefs ; but a 
fmaller number may adjourn from day to 
day, and may be authorifed to compel the 
attendance of abfenc members, in fuch 
manner, and under fuch penalties as each 
houfe may provide. 

2. Each houie may determine the rules 
©fits proceedings ; punifn its members for 
disorderly behaviour ; anJ, with the concur- 
rence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

3. Each houfe fliail keep a journal of its 
|)roceedings ; and, from time toume,pubiiib 

Aa .2 



282 THE LIFE or 

the fame, excepting fuch parts as may in 
their judgment require secrecy ; and the yeas 
and nays of the members of either house on 
any quefUon, fhalJ, at the defire of one-fifth 
of thofe prefent, be entered on the journal. 
4. Neither houfe, during the feffion of 
congrefs, (hali without the consent of the 
other, adjourn for more than three days, nor 
to any other place than that in which the two 
houfes fhall be fitting. 

Sect. VI. 

1. The fenators and reprefentatives fhall 
receive a compenfation for their fervices, to 
be afcertained by law, and paid out of the 
treafury of the United States. They fhail 
in all cases, except treason, felony, and 
breach of the peace, be privileged from an 
arreft, during their attendance at the fefnon 
of their refpedive houses, and in going to, 
and rerufJiing from the fame: and for any 
fpeech or debate in either houle, they fiiall 
not be quertioned in any other place. 

2. No fenator or reprefentative fhall, dur- 
ing the time for which he was elcdled, be 
appointed to anv civil of?iCer under the 
authority of the United States, which fliall 
have been created, or the emoluments 
whereof ihall have bten encreafed, during 
fuch time : and no perfon, holding any office 
wnder the United States, fliall be a meniber 



GEORGE WASHINGTOI^. 283 

of either house, during his continuance in 
office. 

Sect. VII. 

1. AH bills for raifing revenue, fhall ori- 
ginate in the houfe of reprefentatives ; but 
the fenate may propofe or concur wijth a- 
mendments, as on other bills. 

2. Every bill which fhall have pafTed the 
houfe of reprefentatives and the fenate, fhall 
before it become a law, be prefented to the 
prefident of the United States. If he ap- 
prove, he fhail figa it : but if not, he fhali 
return it with his objections, to the houfe, 
in which it llvall have originated, who (hall 
enter the obje6lions at large on their jour- 
nal, and proceed to reconfider it. If, after 
fuch re-con fideration, two-thirds of that 
houfe fliall agree to pafs the bill, it fiiall be 
fenr, together with the objedions, to the 
other houfe^ by which it fhall be likewife 
re-confidered : and, if approved by two- 
thirds of that houfe, it fliall become a law. 
But in all fuch cafes, the votes of both houfes^ 
fliall be determined by yeas and nays : and 
the names of the perfons voting for and a* 
gainfl: the bill, (liall be entered on the jour- 
nals of each houfe refpe6lively. If any bill 
fhall not be returned by the prefident, with- 
in ten days, (Sundays excepted) after it Ihall 
have been preft^nted to him, the fame fhall 
become a law, in like manner, as if he had 



284 THE LIFE OF 

iigned it, unlels the congrels, by their ad* 
journment, prevent its return 3 in which 
cafe It fhall be a law. 

3. Every order, refolution, or vote, to 
which the concurrence of the fenate and 
houfe of reprefentatives may be neceflary 
(except in a queftion of adjournment) fhall 
be prefented to the prefident of the United 
States^ and before the fame fhall take efFe6l, 
IKall be approved by him ; or, being difap- 
proved by him, fhall be repafTed by two- 
thirds of the fenate and houfe of reprefen- 
tatives according to the rules and limitations 
prefcribed in cafe of a bill. 

Sect. VIII. 

The congrefs fhall have power, 

1. To lay and coUeft taxes, duties, im- 
pofts, and excifes, to pay the debts, and to 
provide for thecommon defence, and gene- 
ral welfare of the United States j but all 
duties, impofts, and excifes, fhall be uni- 
form throughout the United States. 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the 
United States. 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign 
nations, and among the feveral ftates, and 
with the Indian tribes^ 

4. To eftablifli an uniform rule of natu- 
ralization, and uniform laws on the fubjed 
of bankruptcies, throughout the United 
States, 



G E O KCE WAS H IN G TON, 285 

5. To coin money, regulate the value 
thereof, and of foreign coin ; and fix the 
ilandard of weis;hts and meafures. 

6. To provide for the punifliment of 
counterfeiting the fecurities and curreni: coin 
of the United States. 

7. Toeftabhfli poil-ofHcesandpoft-road.. 

8. To pronnote the progrefs of fciencc 
and ufeful arts, "by fecuring, for limited 
timtrs, to authors and inventors^ the exclu- 
Jive right to their refpe6live writings and 
difGoverits. 

9. To contlitute tribunals inferior to the 
fupreme court. 

10. To define and punifh piracies and 
felonies committed on the high feas, and 
oiTtnces againil the law of nations. 

11. To declare war, grant letters of 
-marque and repriz^al ; and make rules con- 
cerning captures on land and water. 

12. To raifc and lupport armies. But 
no appropriation of money to that ufe (hall 
be for a longer term than two years. 

13. To provide and maintain a navy. 

14. To make rules for the government 
and regulation of the land and naval forces. 

15. fo provide for calling forth the mi- 
litia, to execute the laws of the union, 
fupprefs infurredlions, and repel invafions. 

16. To provide for organizing, armiqg, 
apd difcipiing the militiaj and for governing 



28'6 THE IIFE OF 

fuch part of them as may be employed in 
the fervice of the United States j refcrving 
to the dates refpcdtively the appointment 
of the officers, and the authority of training 
the militia according to the difcipline pre- 
fcribed by congrcfs. 

17. To exercife exclufive legiflation, in 
all cafes whatever, over fuch diftrid: (not 
exceeding ten miles fquare) as may, by 
cefiion of particular ftates, and the accept- 
ance of congrefe, become the feat of the go- 
vernment of the United States ; and to ex- 
ercife like authority over all places purchaf- 
ed by the conicrit of the legiflatuie of the 
(late in which the f une Ihall be, for the erec- 
tion of forts, magazines, a'fenals, dock- 
yards, and other needful buildings : 

and, 

18. To make all laws which fnall be ne- 
ceflary and proper for carrying into execu- 
tion the fo:;.^going powers, and all other 
powers veficd by this conditution in the go- | 
vernment of the United States, or in any 
department or officer thereof. 

Sect. IX. 
1. The migration or importation of fuch 
.perfons, as ;ny of the (laces now exifting 
fhall think proper to admit, (hall not be pro- 
hibited by the congrefs, prior to the year 
one fhoufand eight hundred and eight : but 
a tax or duty may be impofed on fuch im- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. £87 

portation, not exceeding ten dollars for each 
perfon. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas 
corpus fhall not be fufpended, unlefs when, 
in cafes of rebellion or invafion, the public 
fafery may require if. 

3. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto 
law fhall be pafled. 

4. No capitation or other dire^l tax fhall 
be laid, unlefs in proportion to the cenfus 
or enumeration herein before direded to be 
taken. 

5. No tax or duty fhall be laid on articles 
exported from any flate. No preference 
fhall be given by any regulation of com- 
merce or revenue, to the ports of one flate 
over thofe of another 3 nor fhall vefTels bound 
to or from one flate, be obliged to enter, 
clear, or pay duties in another. 

6. No money fhall be drawn from the 
treafury, but in confequence of appropria- 
tions made by law : and a regular ftatemenc 
and account of the receipts and expen- 
ditures of all public money fhall be pub- 
lifhed from, time to time. 

7. No tide of nobility fliall be granted by 
the United States: And no perfon, hold- 
ing any office of profit or truft under them, 
fliall, without the confent of congrefs, ac« 
cept of any pr-rfent, crnolurnenr, office, or 
title, of any kind whatever, from any king, 
prince, or foreign (late. 



2gS2 . THE LIFE OF 

SliCT. X. 

1. No {late fliall enter into any tieaty, aU 
iiance, or confederation : grant letters of 
marque and reprifal^ coin money; remit 
bills oF credit ; make any thing but gold 
and filver coin a tender in pay m.ent of debts; 
pafs any bill of attainder, ex fost facto law, 
or law inipairing the obligation of contra6ls, 
or grant any title of nobility. 

2. No {late fhal], without the confent of 
congrefs, lay any im.pofls or duties on im- 
ports or exports, except what may be abfo- 
iucely ncce0ary for executing its infpe61:ion 
laws; and the net produce of all duties and 
impods, laid by any (late on im^ports or ex- 
ports, fliaj} be for the ufe of the treafury of 
the United States ; and all fuch laws Ihall 
befubjecl to the revifionand the rontroul of 
the congrefs. No ftate fliall, without the 
confent of the congrefs, lay any duty of 
tonnage, keep troops, or Hiips of war, in 
time of peace, enter into any agreement or 
compa6l with another (late, or with a fo- 
reign power, or engage in war, unlefs actu- 
ally invaded, or in fuch eminent danger 
as will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE IT. Sect. I. 

1. The executive power fhall be vef^cd 

in the prsfident of the United States of 

AmiCrica. He (hall hold his ofEce during 

the term, of four vcars, and, together v. ith 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 289 

the vlce-prefident, chofen for the fame term, 
be ele(5led as follows: 

2, Each ftate Ihall appoint,^n fuch man- 
ner as the legiflature thereof may diretfl, a 
number of ekdtors, equal to the whole 
number of fenators and reprefentatives, to 
which the ftate may be entitled in the con- 
grefs. But no fenator, or reprelentative, or 
perfon holding an office of truft or profit un- 
der the United States, ihall be appointed 
an elector. 

3. The eledlors Ihall meet in their refpec- 
tive flateSj and vote by ballot for two per- 
fons, of whom one, at leail ihall not be an 
inhabitant of the fame ftate with themfelves* 
And they ihall make a lift of all the per- 
fons voted for, and of the number of votes 
for each ; Vv'hich lift they fliall fign and cer- 
tify, and tranfmit fealed to the feat of the 
government of the United States, diredled 
to the prefident of the fenate. The prefix 
dent of the fenate ihall, in the prefence of 
ihe fena:e and houfe of reprefentatives, open 
all the certificates and the votes ihall then be 
counted. The perfon having the greateft 
number of votes fliall be the prefident, if fuch. 
number be a majority of the whole nximber 
of eledors appointed ; and if there be more 
than one who have fuch majority, and have 
an equal number of votes, then the houfe of 
reprefentatives ihall immediately choofe bv 

Bb 



290 THE LIFE OF 

ballot one of them for prefident, and if no 
person have a majority, then, from the five 
higheft on the lift, the faid houfe (hall in like 
manner choofe the president. But in choof- 
ing the prefident the votes fhaH be taken by 
ftates, the reprefentation from each ftate, hav- 
ing one vote : a quorum for this purpofe fliall 
Gonfiflof amember or members from two- 
thirds of the ftates : and a majority of all the f. 
Hates fliall be neceflary to a choke. In every 1 
cafe, after the chojceof the prefident the per- | 
fon having the greateft number of votes of the ^' 
cledorsj fhall be the vice-prefident. But if 
there ihould remain two ormore^ who have 
equal votes, the fenate Ihail choofe from 
shem;, bv ballot the vice prefident. 

4. The congrrfs may determine the time 
of choofing the eledors, and the day on 
which they fhail give their votes; which day f 
iliall be the fame throughout the United 
States, 

5. No perfon, except a natural born ci- 
tizen, or, a citizen of the United States, at 
the tim>e of the adoption of this conftitution, 
iliall be eligible to the office of prefident. 
iV either fhall any perfon be egible to that 
office, who fhall not have attained to the age 
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years 
a refident within the United States. 

6. In cafe of the removal of the prefident 
from office, or of his death, refgiiation^ or 



GEORGE WASHINGTOJT, 291 

inability, todifcharge the powers and duties 
of the faid ofBce, the fame ihall devolve on 
the vice-prefident ; and the congrefs may, 
by law, provide for the cafe of removal^ 
death, refignation, or inability, both of the 
prefident and vice- prefident, declaring what 
officer fliall then ad as prefident ; and fiich 
officer fliaii act accordingly, until the difa- 
bility be removed, or a prefident fhall 
be ekdf-cL 

7. The prefident fl-^all, at flated times, 
receive for his fervices, a compenfation, 
which fhall neither be encreafcd nor dimi- 
nifhed, during the period for which he fhall 
have been eleded : and he fliall not'receive 
within that period, any other emolument 
from the United States, or any of them. 

;§. Before he enter on the execution of 
his office, he fhall take the following oath 
or affirmation,: 

^* 1 do folemnly fwear (or affirm) that I 
" will faithfully execute the office of the 
** prefident of the United States ; and will 
" to the bed of my ability, prefer ve, pro- 
" te6t, and defend the conftitution of the 
^^ United States.'*' 

Sect. II. 

1. The prefident Ihall be commander in 

chief of the army and navy of the United 

States, and of the militia of the feveral 

ilates, when called into the adual fervice of 



292 THE LIFE OF 

the United States. He may require the 
opinion-, in writing, of the principal officers 
in each of the executive departments, upon 
any fubjecTts relating to the duties of their 
refpcdive offices ; and he fliall have power 
to grant reprieves and pardons for offences 
againft the United States, except in cafes of 
impeachment. 

2. He ffiall have power, by and with the 
advice and confent of the fenate, to make 
treaties, provided two-thirds of the fenators 
prefent concur : and he fhall nominate, and 
by and with the advice and confent of the fc- 
nate, iliall appoint ambalTadors, other public 
minifters, and confuls judges of the fupreme 
court, and all other officers of the United 
States, whofe appointments are not herein 
otherwifc provided for, and which fhall be 
eftabhfhed by lav/. But the congrefs may, 
by law, veil the appointment of fuch inferi- 
or officers, as they think proper, in the 
prefident alone, in the courts of law, or in 
the heads of departments. 

3. The prefident fhall have pov/er to fill 
«p all vacancies that may happen, during 
the recefs of the fenate, by granting com- 
miflions, which fliall expire at the end of 
their next feffion. 

Sect. III. 
He fliall, from time to time, give to the 
congrefs information of the ftate of the 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 293 

union ; and recommend to their confidera- 
tion fuch meafures as he Ihail judge necefla^ 
ry and expedient. He may, on extraordi- 
nary occafions^ convene both houfes or 
either of them : and in cafeof difagreement 
between them, with refped to the time of 
adjournmenc, he may adjourn them to fuch 
time as he fhall thinK proper. He ihall re- 
ceive ambalTadors and other public mini- 
flers. He fhall take care that the laws be 
faithfully execuced : and fnall commifiion 
all the oiEcers of the United States. 

Sect. IV. 
The prefident, vice prefident, and all ci- 
Tii officers of the United States, (hall be re- 
moved from office, on impeachment for.^ 
and conviilion of treafoHj bribery, or other 
high crimes and mifdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. Section I. 
\ The judicial power oi the United States 
\ ihall be vciied in one fupreme court, and in 
I fuch inferior courts as congrefs may, from 
I time to time, ordain and eftablifli. The 
I judges, both of the fupreme and inferior 
courts, (hall hold their offices during good 
behaviour ; and (hall, at dated times, re- 
ceive for their fervices a compeniation which 
^^ ill not be di mi fiilhed during their conti- 
riiuancc m office^ 

.^Bb .-2 



"294 THE LIFE OF 

Sect. II. 

1. The judicial power fhall extend to all 
cafes, in law and equity, arifing under this 
conflitution, the laws of the United States, 
and treaties made, or which (hall be nnade, 
under their authority ; to all cafes aife^ing 
ambaffadors, other public minifters, and 
confols ; to all cafes of admiralty and mari- 
time jurifdidion ; to controverfies to which 
the United States fhall be a party ; to con- 
troverfies between two or more dates, be- 
tween a ftate and citizens of another (late, 
between citizens of different ftates, between 
citizens of the fam.e ftate, claiming lands 
under grants af different ftates, and between 
a ftate, or th^ citizens thereof, and foreign 
ilates, citizens, or fubje6lss» 

2. In all cafes afl-eding ambaffadors., 
other public minifters and confuls, and 
thofe in which a ftate ftiall be a party, the 
fupreme court ftiall have original junfdic- 
tion. In all the other cafes before menti- 
oned, the fupreme court ftiall have appel- 
late jurifdiaion, both as to law and fad, 
with fuch exceptions, and under fuch regu- 
lations as the congrefs fliall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in 
cafes of impeachment, fliall be by jury; 
and fuch trials ftiall be held in the ftate 
where the faid crimes ftiall have been com- 
•Bitted 5 but when not committed within 



Hi ^arjv fl:at( 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 295 



a-ny ilate, the trial Ihall be at fuch place or 
places, as the congrefs may by law have 
direded. 

Sect. III. 

1. Treafon againft the United States, 
ihall confift only in levying war againft them 
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them 
aid and comfort. No perfon (hail be con- 
vi(5led of treafon unlefs on the teftimony of 
two witnelTes, to the fame overt adl, or on 
GonfefTion in open court. 

2. The congrefs fhall have full power to 
declare the punifhment of treafon ■; but no 
attainder of treafon fhall work corruption 
of blood, or forfeiture, except during the 
life of the perfon attained. 

ARTICLE IV. Sect. I. 
Full faith and credit fhall be given in each 
ftate, to the public adls, records and judicial 
proceedings in every o<:her ftate. And the 
congrefs may, by general laws, prefcribe the 
rpanner in which fuch a6l:s, records and pro- 
ceedings fhall be proved and the effect thereof* 

Sect. It. 

1. The citizens of each ftate fhall be en- 
titled to all the privileges and immunities of 
citizens in the feveral ft-ates. 

2. A perfon charged in any ftare with 
treafon, felony, or other crime, who fliall flee 
from juftice, and be found in another ftate, 
ihail on demand of the executive authoritj 



296 THE LIFE OF 

of the ftate from which he fled, be delivered 
up, to be removed to the (late, having jurif- 
didlion of rhe crim^. 

3. No perfon, held tofervice or labour in 
one ftate, under the laws thereof, efcaping 
into another, fh all in conlcquence of any law 
or regulation therein, bedifcharged fromfuch 
fervice or labour ; but ftiall be delivered up 
on claim of the party to whom fuch fervice 
or labour may be due. 

Sect. III. 

1. New ftates may be admitted by con- 
'grefs into this union ; but no new ftate ftiall 
be formed or erected within the jurifdl6lion 
of any other ft:ate — -nor any ftate be formed 
by the junction of two or more Hates, or parts 
of ftates — without the confent of the legifla- 
tures of the ftates concerned, as well as of the 
congrefs. 

2. The congrefs fhall have power to dif- 
pofe of, and m.i^l^e all needful rules and re- 
gulations refpeding the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States; and 
nothing in this conftitution ftiall be con- 
ftru6led, as to prejudice any claims of the 
United Stares .j or any particular ftate, 

Sect. IV. 

The United States fnall guarantee to 

^very ftate in this union, a republican form 

^of government^ and ftiall pro te£l each of 

chem againft inv.afion;^ and on application =©f 



GJEORGE WASHINGTON* 297 

the legiflature, or of the executive (when the 
legiflature cannot be convened) againft do- 
meltic violence. 

ARTICLE V. 
The congrefs, whenever two-thirds of 
both houfcs ill all deem it necelTary, fhall pro- 
pofe amendments to this conftitution, or, 
on the application of the legiilatures of two- 
thirds of the fevcral dates, fhall call a con- 
ventioij for propofing amendmenrsj which 
in cither cafe fhall be valid to all intents and 
purpofes, as part of this conilitution, when 
ratified by the legiHatures of three-fourths 
of the feveral ftates, or by conventions in 
three -fourths thereof^ as the one or the other 
mode of ratification may be propofed by the 
congrefsi provided that no amendment, 
which may be made prior to the year one 
thoufand eight hundred and eight, fliall in 
any manner affeclthc firll and fourth claufes 
in the ninth fedtion of the firft article ; and 
that no flare, without its confent, fliall be de- 
prived of its equal fufFrage in the fenate. 
ARTICLE VL 

1. All debts ccntracledj and engagements 
entered into before the adoption of this con- 
flicution, fhall be vailed againfl the United 
States, under this conflitution, as under the 
confederation. 

2. This conftitution and the laws of the, 
United States^ which fhall be made in pur- 



298 THE LIFE OF 

fuance thereof, and all treaties made, or 
which fliall be made, under the authority 
of the United States, fhall be the fupreme 
law of the land: and the judges, in every 
flate, fhall be bound thereby, any thing in 
the conftitution or laws of any (late to the 
contrary notwithftanding. 

3. The senators and representives before 
mentioned, and the members of the flatcs 
legiQatures, and all executive and judicial 
officers, both of the United States, and of 
the several stares ihall be bound by oath or 
affirmation to fiipport this constitution.; but 
no religious test shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office of public trust un» 
der the United States. 

ARTICLE VII. 

The ratification of the conventions of 
nine ftates fhall be fufficient for the efta- 
blifhment of this conftitution between the 
ilates fo ratifying the fame* 

Done in convention, by the unanimous confent of 
the ftates prefent, the feventeentli day of Sep- 
tember, in the year of our Lord one thoufand 
feven hundred and eighry-feven, and of the in- 
dependence of the United States of America 
the twelfth. In witnefs whereof, weiiave here- 
unto fubfcribed cur names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 

President and deputy^ from Virginia* 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 299 

The following amendments to the con- 
ftltution were propofed by congrefs, and ra- 
tified by the legiflatures of the feveral dates, 
purfuant to the fifth article of the original 
conilitution, foon after its adoption. 

1. Congrefs fhali make no law refpedl- 
ing an eftablifhment of religion, prohibit- 
ing the free exercife thereof, or abridging 
the freedom of fpeech, or of the prefs ; or 
the right of the people peaceably to affem- 
ble, and to petition the government for a re- 
drefs of grievances. 

2. A well regulated militia being necef- 
fary to the fecurity of a free ftate, the right 
of the people to keep and bear arms fhall 
not be infringed. 

3. No foklier fhall, in the time of peace, 
be quartered in any houfe without the con- 
fent of the owner ^ nor in time of war, but 
in a manner to be prefcnbed by law. 

4. The right of the people to be fecure 
in their prfeons, houfes, papers and efFedls, 
againft unreafonable fearches and feizures, 
fliall not be violated : and no warrants fhall 
iiTue, but upon probable caufe, fupported by 
oath or affirmation- — and particularly de- 
fcribing the place to be fearched, and the 
perfons or things to be ieized. 

5. No perfon fhall be held to anfwer for 
a capital or other wile infamous crime, un- 
lefs on a prefeniment or indiclment by a 



300 THE LIFE OF 

grand jury> except in cafes arifing in the 
land or naval forces, or in the militia, when 
in actual fervice, in time of war or public 
danger: nor fliall any perfonbe fubjedl for the 
fame offence to be twice put in jeopardy of 
life or limb; norfhallbe compelled in any 
criminal cafe to be a witnefs againft himfelf; 
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or pro - 
perty, without due procefs of law; nor 
fhall private property be taken for public 
ufe without juft compenfation. 

6. In all crimini^l profecutions, the accus- 
ed fhall enjoy the right to a fpeedy and pub- 
lic trial, by an impartial jury, of the flate and 
diftridj wherein the crime fhall have been 
committed ; which diftrid fliall have been 
previoufly afcertaintd by law; and to b-e in- 
formed of the nature and caufe of the accuf- 
ation ; to be confronted with the witnelTes 
againft him ; to have compulfory procefs for 
obtaining witnefies in his favour.; and to 
have the affifiance of counfel for his defence^ 

7. Infuits at common law, where the value 
in controverfy, fhall exceed 20 dollors, the 
right of trial bvjury, Oiall be preferved ; and 
no fa6l tried by jury, fliall be otherwife re- 
examined in any court of the United States, 
than according to the rules of common lav/, 

8. Excefllve bail fliall not be required ; 
norexceffive fines impofed ; nor crutl an(J 
unufual punifnment infli-fted. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 501 

9. The enumeration, in the conftitution, 
ofcertaii^rights,fhall notbeconftriied, tode. 
ny or dilparage others retained by the people. 

10, The powers not delegated to the 
United States by the conflitution, nor pro- 
hibited by it to the ftates, are referved to the 
ftates refpedively, or to the people. 

The new conftitution being thus adopt- 
ed, Wafhington was chofen prefident, in 
April, 1789, by the unanimous vote of his 
countrymen. When he received intelli- 
gence of his eledlion, he fee out from 
Mount Vernon for New -York. He was 
efcorted by the militia and gentlemen of the 
firft charader from flate to (late, and nu- 
merous addrefles of congratulation were 
prefented to him by the inhabitants of the 
towns through which he pafled. On his 
approach to Philadelphia, he was met by 
above 20,000 citizens, who conduced him 
to the city, where an elegant entertainment 
was prepared for him. 

His^ progrefs from Philadelphia to New- 
York is thus defcribed by an elegant writer, 
and prefentsan animated pifture of public 
gratitude. ** When G. Wafhington croffcd 
the Delaware, and landed on the Jerfey 
fhore, he was faluted with three chtVrs by 
the inhabitants of the vicinity. Before he 
came to the brow of the hill, on his way 
to Trenton, a triumphal arch was ^redled 
Cc 



302 THE LIFE OF 

on the bridge, by the diredtion of the ladies 
of the place. The crown of the arch was 
highly ornamented with imperial ^laurels 
and flowers, and on it wasdifplayed in large 
^gures, December 26, 1776. Onthefweep 
of the arch, beneath, was this infcription : — 
^he Defe?ider of the Mothers will also protect 
their Daughters, On the north fide were rang- 
ed a number of young girls, dreffed in white 
with garlands of flowers on their heads,^ and 
ba&^rs of flowers on their arms ; in the fo- 
cond row flood the young ladies, and behind 
them the married ladies, of the town. The 
inflant he pafled the arch, the young girls 
began to fing the following ode : 

** Welcome, miglity chief, once more, 
" Welcome to tbis grateful shore;, 
" Mow no mercenaiy foe 
*' Aims again the fatal blow, 
** Aims at thee the fatal blo%7, 

*' Virgins fair, and matrons grave, 
** These thy corqu'ring- arm did fave, 
** Build for THE IS triuTDphant borers; 
*•* Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers, 
■^^ Strew your Hsro's way with Rowers," 

'^ As they Tung the lafl lines, they ffrewed 
iheir flowers on the road before their deliver- 
er. His fituation on this occafion, con- 
trailed with what he had in December, 
1776, felt on the fame fpot, when the aff'airs 
qf America were at the lowetl: ebb of de^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 30,J 

prefTioHj filled him with fenfarions that can« 
not be described. From Trenton he was 
efcorted by the governor, and the principal 
men of tht flate-, to Elizabech-town pointj 
from whence, lie was rowed acrofs the bay 
to New- York, in an elegant barge, by thir- 
teen branch pilots and a vaft number of 
other boats accompanied them. All the 
veiTels in the harbour hoifbed their flags. — ' 
On his landings univerfal joy diffused iifelf 
through every order of the people, L.nd he 
was received and congratulated bv the gov- 
ernor of the state, and officers of the corpo- 
artion. In the evening the hoti.es of the in- 
habitants were brilliantly illuminated." 

On the 30th of April, 1789, Waaiing* 
ton was inaugurated prefident of the Unit- 
ed States, and took the oath enjoined by 
the conflitution, in the following words z 
^' I do folemniy fwear, that I will faithfully 
execute the office ofprefident of the United 
States, and will, to the best of my ability^ 
proted and defend the constitution of the 
United States." An univerfal and folemn 
iilence prevailed among the fpedlators dur- 
ing this part of the ceremony. The chan- 
cellor then proclaimed him prefident of the 
United States, and was answered by the 
•discharge of cannon and the acclamation of 
ten thoufand citizens. After this ceremony^ 
Wafliington retired to the Senate chamber. 



304 THE LIFE OF 

when he made afpeech to both houfes, 
(Irongly exprefllve of his piety and patriot- 
ifm, and which is as follows : 

** Fello~cv-citizens cf the senate 
and of the 

House of representatives : 

*^ Among the viciffitudes incident to life, 
no event could have filled me with greater 
anxietie:: than that of which the notification 
was tranfmitted by your order, and received 
on the i4th day of April. On the one hand, 
I Vv'as funvaioned by my country, whofe voice 
I can never liear but with veneration and love, 
from a retreat which I had chofen v/ich the 
fohdclt predeliclion, and, in my flattt-ring 
hopes, with an imaiiutabie decifion, as the 
afiylum of my declining years : a retreat 
which was rendered every day more neceiTary 
as well as more dear to me, by the addition of 
habit to inclination, and of frequent inter- 
ruptions in my health to the gradual v/afte 
committed on it by time. On the other hand, 
the magnitude and difficulty of the trult to 
whicii the voice of my country called me, 
being fufficient to awaken in the wifeft and 
moft experienced of her citizens a diftruftful 
fcrutiny into his qualifications, could not but 
overwhelm with defpondence, one, who, in- 
heriting inferior endowments from nature, 
and unpractised in the duties of civil admin- 
ifcratioi^, ought to be peculiarly confcious of 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 30S 

Msown deficiencies. Inthlsconfli6l of emo- 
tions, all I dare aver is, that it has been my 
faithful ftudy to colled iny duty from a ju& 
appreciation of eve^ry circumflance by which 
It might be affc£led, All I dare hope is^ 
that if in accepting this tafk., I have been too 
much fwayed by a grateful remembrance of 
former inftances., or by an affeclionate feU" 
fibi!ity to this tranfcendent proof of the con- 
fidence of my fellow-citizens: and have 
thence too little confuitrd my incapacitj, as 
well as difinclination for the weighty and un- 
tried .cares before me ; my error will be pal- 
liated by the motives vvhich rnifled me, and 
its confequences be judged by my country, 
wirh fome fbare of the partialiiy in which 
■they originated, 

" Such being the impre'flions under which 
I have, in obedipnc>^ to ^he public Annmons, 
repaired to the prefent Ration ; it will be pe- 
culiarly improper to omit in this firll: official 
.•a6l, my fervrnt fuppiicati -nsto that Ahn gh« 
ty Being who rules over the univerfe ; — •-A-'no 
prefides in xh-e rouncil of nations, — and 
whoft- providential aids can fuppl^revery '"u» 
man defe(5lj chat his benedi6i:ioR may confe- 
•crate to the liberties and hoppinds of the 
people of the Unirtd Stares., a government 
anftituted l).y therr.ftlves fjr thefe elTential 
;purpofes t and ma v enable every inflrum^nt 
employed in its adminiftration, to execaii^r. 



THE LIFE or 



with fuccefs, the fundions allotted to his 
charge. In tendering this homage to the great 
Author of every public and private good, I 
affure myfelf that it experiences your fen- 
timents not lefs than my own ; nor thofe 
of my fellow- citizens at large, lefs then eith- 
er. No people can be bound to acknow- 
ledge and adore the invi(ible hand which 
condu6i:s the affair of men, more then the 
people of the United States. Every ftep by 
which they have advanced to the charadler 
of an independent nation feems to have been 
diflinguifned by fome token of providential 
agency ; and in the important revolution 
juil accompliilied in the fyftem of their 
united government, the tranquil delibera- 
tions and voluntary confent offo many dif- 
tind communities, from which the event has 
refultedj cannot be compared with the means 
by which moil governments have been cfta- 
bliflied, without fome return of pious grati- 
tude along with an humble anticipation ofttie 
future blefiings which the past feems to pre- 
fage. These reflexions, arifing out of the 
prefeni: crifis, have forced themfelves too^ 
llrongly on my mind to befuppreffed. You 
will join with me, I trud, in thinking that 
there are none, under the influence of which 
the proceedings of a new and free govern- 
inenc can more aufpiqioiifly commence. 
*^ By the article edabliihing the execu- 



GEORCEj^ASH^INOTON. 307 



4 



tlve department, it is made the duty of the 
prcfident *to recommend to your confider- 
ation, fuch meafures as he Ih all judge nc- 
cefTary and expedient.' The circumftances 
under which I now meet you will acquit 
me from entering into that fubje6V, farther 
than .to refer to the great conftitutional 
charter under which you are alTembled, and 
which in defining your powers, defignates 
the objedls to which your attention is 
to be given. It will be more confident 
with thofe circumftances, and far more con- 
genial with the feelings which aduate me, 
to fubftitute in place of a recommendation 
of 1 irticular meafures, the tribute that is 
due to the talents, the reclitude, and the 
patriotifm, which adorn the charaders fcled- 
ed to devife and adopt them. In thefe hon- 
ourable qualifications, I behold the furefl 
pledges that, as on one fide, no local pre- 
judices or attuchments, no feparate views 
nor party animofities, will mifdirecl the 
comprehendve and equal eye which ought 
to watch over this great afTemblage of com- 
munities, and interefts : fo, on another, 
that the foundations of our national policy 
will be laid in the pure and immutable 
principles of private morality $ and the pre- 
eminence of free government be exempli-, 
tied by all the attributes which can win the 
affcclions of its citizens, and command the 



SOS THE LlTm OT 

refpe^b of the world. I dwell on this pro- 
ipe(5l with every fatisfadlion which an ar- 
dent love for my country can infpire, fince 
there is no ti'urh more thoroughly eftablifh. 
•ed than that there exrfts, in the economy 
and courfe of nature, and indiflblnhle uni- 
on between virtue and happinefs, — between 
duty and advantage, — between the genuine 
maxims of an honeft and magnanimous 
policy, and the folid rewards of public prof- 
perity and felicity : — fince we ought to be 
•no lefs perfuaded that the propkious fmiles 
of heaven can never be expected on a na- 
tion that difreiirards the eternal rules of or- 
der and right which heaven itfdf has or- 
dained : and fince the prefervatibn of the 
ifacred fire of liberty, and the deftiny of the 
•republican model of government, arejuil:ly 
•ronfidercd as deeply, perhaps as finally 
ftaked, on the experiment intruftcd to the 
'hands of the American peoplir. 

" Befides the ordinary obje6ls fubmitted 
to your care, it will remain with your judg- 
tnenr to decide, how far an exercife of the 
€Ccafional power delep/ated 'by the fifth arti- 
cle of the conAitution is rendered expedient, 
&t the pr^-fcnt junchire, by the nature of 
-objedions which have been urged againfl 
the fyftem, or bv the degree of inquietude 
m'hi ch has given birth to thera, inflead of 
€«nd.ertaking particular recommendatioxvs c® 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 309 

this fubjecV, In which I could be guided by 
lights derived from official opportunities, 
I ihall again give way to my entire confi- 
dence in your difcernmenc and purfuit of the 
public good : for I afiiire myfclf that whilft 
you carefully avoid every alteration which 
might endanger the benefits of an united 
and effeflive government, or which ought 
to await the future leffons of experience j a 
reverence for the ch^.raderiftic rights of 
freemen/ and a regard for the public har- 
mony, will fufficiently intluence your deli- 
berations on the queiti^a how far the for- 
mer can be more imprepVi&biy fortified, or 
the latter be fafely and advantageoufly pro- 
moted. 

" To the preceding obfervatipns I have 
one to add, which will be mod prope:-!^' ad- 
drefled to the houfe of reprefentaeives. It 
concerns mylelf, and will therefore be as 
brief as poffible. When I was fird honour- 
ed with a call into the fcrvicc of my coun- 
try, then on the eve of ah arduous liruggle 
for its liberties, the light in which I con- 
.templated my duty required that I fhould 
renounce every pecuniary compenfation. 
From this refolution I have in no inftancc 
departed. And being flill under the im- 
preflTjpns which produced it, I mud decline, 
as inapplicable to myfclf, any fhare in the 
perfonal emoluiTiCnts which may be indif- 



310 THE LIFE OF 

penfably included in a peroianent provifion 
for the executive department ; and nnull ac- 
cordingly pray that the pecuniary cilimates 
for the itation in which I am placed, may, 
during my continuance in it, be limited to 
fuch adlual expenditures as the public good 
may be thought to require. 

*/ Having thus imparted to you my fen- • 
timents, as they have been awakened by the 
occafion which brings us together, I Hiall 
take my prefent leave; but not without re- 
forting once more to the benign Parent of 
the human race, in humble iupplication, 
that fince he has been plcafed to favour the 
American people with opportunities Tor de- 
liberating in, perfect tranquility, and difpo- 
fitions for deciding with unparalleled unani- 
mity on a form of government, for the fe- 
curity of their union, and the advancement 
of their happinefs -, fo his divine bleffing may 
be equally ccnspaious in the enlarged yiews, 
the temperate confultations, and the wife 
meafures on which the fuccefs of this go- 
vernment mud depend." 

The anfwer of both houfe^ of congrefs 
was replete with their confidence in the jus-| 
tice of their caufe, and to the honour of their 
late generaly now the eled:ed Jirst f resident 
of the United States* Their efteem for his 
perfon and talents induced congrefs, as th-e? 
feprefencatives of a free and independents 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 311 

nation, to hail him as their chief and now 
their guide in the cabinet as well as in the 
field, hence they concludeed their addrefs to 
his fpeech, by faying, ^* This anticipation 
is not juftified merely by the pad experi- 
ence of your fign^l fervices. It is parti- 
cularly fuggefled by the pious imprefllons 
under which you commence your admini- 
[Iration ; and the enlightened maxims by 
ivhich you mean to condu6t ir» We feel 
with you the ftrongefl obligations to adore 
the invifible hand which has led the Ameri- 
:an people through fo many difficulties ; 
:o cherifli a confcioCJs refponfibility for the 
ieiliny of republican liberty ; and to feek 
:he only fure means of preferving and re- 
:ommending the precious depofit in a fyf- 
:em of legiflation founded oh the principles 
3f an honeft policy, and diredled by the 
"pint of a diffiifive patriotifm.". 

Soon after his appointment to the chief 
Tiagidracy, he vifited the eastern states, with 
I view to promote agriculture, and explore 
:he means of national improvement. The 
French revolution, which has excited the 
ittention of mankind, proved a fevere ted to 
:he prudence of Wafhington. Though he 
fecretly difapproved of the voilent meafures 
3f the French republic, yet he faw that ic 
wzs neceffary for America to preferve a 
mutual good -underftanding with that nation. 



312 THE LIFE OF 

With this convi6lIon, he received M.Genei% 
as minister from France and altho from some 
misunderftanding the president ordered him 
to be recalled^ yet notwichftanding what had 
been said against this act, the moderation 
of Wafhington triumphed over the infidious 
arts of his enemies -, and though his authority 
was infulted by anonymous libels, though 
his confidential minifters were feduced to be- 
tray their truft, nay, though the populace 
wereinftigated to infurredion, his prudent 
meafures reftored peace and harrnony, 

Watliington was twice eledled prefidcnt, 
and during his eight years adminiftration, 
he performed the duties of his arduous office 
with all the zeal of an honeft patriot. His 
principal refidence was in Philadelphia, 
where mrs. Wafhington was treated with 
the diflinflion which her own amiable vir^ 
tues, and the dignified flation of her huf- 
band, claimed. 

The prefident occafionally vifited Mount 
Vernon*, v;here in his fragrant bowers he 

* <* I was struck with awe and veneration, when 
I recollected that I wss now in the presence of one 
of the greatest men up^n earth. The great Wafli- 
ington, the noble and wise benefactor of the world I 
as Mirabeau styles him; — the advocate cf huiTian 
nature-, the friend of both worlds. Whether %ve view 
hini as a genet?,! in tlie field, vefted with nnlimlted 
authority an^i p nver, at the head of a victorious 
army ; or in the cabinet, as the prefident of the 



eEORGE WASHINGTON. 513 

found a pieafing relaxation from the cares of 
government. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

Washington signs the British treaty. ,»*IIis determi- 
nation to resign the Presidential chair, .», His ad- 
dress to the people of the United States* 

In April, 1796, VVafhington figned the 
commercial treaty with Great-Britain, an 
event which was by fome (ligmatized by 
others applauded. After having fpent forty- 
five years of his life in the fcrvice of his 
country, he, in September 17th, 1796, an- 
nonuced his determination to retire, in an ad- 
drefs expreiTive of his gratitude and affec- 
tion, which is as follows : 

TO THE 

PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, 
" Friends and fellow citizens^ 

" The period for a new eleclion of a ci- 
tizen to adminider the executive gqvern- 
ment of the United States bein^ not far 



United States ; or as a private gentleman, cultlva- 
tini^ his own farm ; he is still thn same great man— 
• anxious only to discharge w'th propriety the duties 
of his relative sitiKntion." IVanseys Excursionjo 
the United States of North America, 

Dd 



314 THE LIFE OF 

diftant, and the time actually arrived when 
your thoughts muft be employed in defig- 
nating the perfon who is to be clothed with 
that important truft, it appears to me pro. 
per, efpecially as it may conduce to a more 
diftindt expreflion of the public voice, that 
I Ihould now apprize you of the refolution 
I have formed, to decline being confidered 
among the number of thofe, out of whom 
a choice is to be made. 

*^ 1 beg you J at the fame time, to do me 
the juftice to be aiTured, that this refolution 
has not been taken, without a ftrid regard 
to all the confiderations appertaining to the 
relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his 
country; and that, in withdrawing the ten- 
der of fervice which filence in my fitua- 
tion might imply, I am influenced by no 
diminution of zeal for your future interefl; 
no deficiency of grateful refpedl for your 
paft kindnefs -, but am fupported by a full 
convidion that the ftep is compatible with 
both. 

" The acceptance of, and continuance hi- 
therto in the office to which your fufrrages 
have twice called me, have been a uniform 
facrifice of inclination to the opinion of du- 
ty, and to a difference tor what appeared to 
be your defire. I conllanrly hoped that it 
would have been much earlier in my power, 
confiftcndy with motives which I was not 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 315 

at liberty to difregard, to return to that re- 
tirement from which I had been reludlantly 
drawn. The ftrength of my inclination to 
do this, previous to the laft election, had 
even led to th« preparation of an addrefs 
to declare to you j but mature refledlion on 
the then perplexed and critical pofturc of 
our affairs Vv-ith foreign nations, and the u^ 
nanimous advice of perfons entitled to my 
confidence, impelled me to abandon the 
idea. 

'^ 1 rejoice that the flate of our concerns, 
external as well as internal, no longer ren- 
ders the purfuit of inclination incompatible 
with the fentiment of duty or propriety; and 
am perfuaded, whatever partiality may be 
retained for my fervices, that, in the pre- 
fcnt circumftances of our country, you will 
not diiapprove my determination to re- 
tire. 

*^ The impreiTions with which I firft under- 
took the arduous trufl were explained on 
the proper occafion. In the difcharge of 
this trull I will only fay, that 1 have, with 
good intentions, contributed towards the 
organization and adminiftration of the go- 
vernment the befl: exertions of w^hich a very 
fallible judgment was capable. Not un- 
conscious in the outfet, of the inferiority of 
my qualifications, experience in my own 
eyes, perhaps ftill more in the eyes of othefs> 



316 THE LIFE or 

has (Irengthencd the motives to diffidence 
of myfelfi and every day the increafing 
weight of years admoniflies me more and 
more that the fljade of retirement is as ne- 
cefTary to me as it will be welcome. Satis- 
fied, that if any circumftances have given 
peculiar value to my fervices, they \\ere 
temporary, I have the confolation to be- 
lieve, that while choice and prudence invite 
me to quit the political fcene, patriotifm 
does not forbid it. 

"In looking forward to the moment which 
is intended to terminate the career of my 
public life, my feelings do not permit me to 
fufpend the deep acknowledgment of that 
debt of gratitude which I owe to mjy belov- 
ed country for the many honours it has con- 
ferred on me ; ftill more for the ftedfafi con- 
fidence Vvith vv'hich it has fupported wc ; and 
for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed 
of manifcfling my inviolable attachment by 
iervices faithful and perfeverirg, though in 
ufefulnefs unequal to my zeal. 

"If benefits have refulted to our country 
from thefe fervices, let it always be remem- 
bered to your praife, and as inilrudive ex- 
ample in our annals, that under circum- 
flances in which the pafTions, agitated in 
every direction, were liable to miflcad, a- 
midft appearances fometimes dubious, vi- 
rilTuudes of fortune often difcouraging, in 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 317 

fituations in which not unfrequently want of 
fuccefs has countenanced the fpirit of cri- 
ticifnn, the conftancy of your lupport was 
the efTential prop of the efforts, and the 
guarantee of the plans, by which they were 
effecbed.— Profoundly penetrated with this 
rdea, I fhall carry it with me to my grave, 
as a flrong incitement to unceafing vows 
that heaven may continue to you the choiceft 
tokens of its beneficence — that your union 
and brotherly affedion may be perpetual — 
that the free conftitution which is the work 
of your hands may be facredly maintained — 
that its adminiftration, in every department, 
may be ftamped with wifdom and virtue — 
that, in fine, the happinefs of the people 
of thefe dates, under the aufpices of liber- 
ty, may be made complete by fo careful a 
prefervation and fo prudent an ufe of this 
blefllng as will acquire to tiiem the glory of 
recommending it to the applaufe, the affec» 
rion, and adoption of every nation which is 
yet a ftranger to it. 

" Here, perhaps, I ought to flop. But a 
folicitude for your welfare, v/hich cannot 
end but with my life and the apprehenilonot 
danger, natural to that folicitude, urge me, 
on an occafion like the prefent, to offer to 
your lolemn contemplation, and to recom- 
mend to your frequent review, fome fenti- 
ments, which are the refuk of much re- 
i) d 2 



3J8 THE LIFE OF 

fle(5lion, of no inconfidcrable obfervation, 
and which appear to me all innportant to the 
permanency of your felicity as a people, 
Thcfe v/iil be offt^red to you with the more 
freedom, as you can only fee in them the 
difintercfled warnings of a parting friend, 
who can pofllbly have no perfonal motive 
to bias his council. Nor can 1 forget, as an 
cncouragcmf nt to it, your indulgent recep- 
tion of my fpntiments on a former and not 
diffimilar occafion, 

" Inrei woven as is the love of liberty with 
every ligarntnt of your hearts, no recom- 
mc-ndation of mine is necelTary to fortify or 
confirm the attachment. 

" The unity of government which confi:i- 
tutes you one people, is alfo now dear to you. 
It is juflly fo, for it is a main pillar in the ed- 
ifice of your real independence; the fupport 
of your tranquillity at home, your peace 
abroad -, of your fafety, of your profperity, 
of that very liberty which you fo highly 
prize. But as it is eafy to forefee that, fiom 
different caufes and from different quarters, 
much pains will be taken, many artifices em- 
ployed, to weaken in your minds the con- 
viction of this truth ; as this is the point in 
your political fortrefs againfl: which the bat- 
teries of internal and external enemies will 
be mod conilantly and adlively (though of- 
ten covertly and infidioufly) direded^ it is of 



CfiOUGE WASHINGTON. 31^ 

infinite moment that you fhould properly 
■eftimate the immenfe value of your national 
union to your colle(^ive and individual hap- 
pinefs i that you fhould cherifh a cordial, ha- 
bitual, and immoveable attachment to it; ac- 
cufl:oming yourfelves to think and fpeak of 
it as of the palladium of your political fafety 
and profperity ; watching for its prefervation 
with jealous anxiety; difcountenancing what- 
ever may fugged even a fufpicion that it can, 
in any event, be abandoned j and indignantly 
frowing upon the fird dawning of every at- 
tempt to alienate any portion of our country 
from the reft, or to enfeeble the facred ties 
which now j^nk together the various parts. 

*^For this you have every inducement of 
fympathy and interefts. Citizens, by birth 
or choice, of a common country, that coun- 
try has a right to concencrate your affcrclioniv 
The name of American, which belongs to 
you in your national capacity, mufi: always 
exalt the juH: pride of patriotifm more than 
anv appellation derived from local difcrimin- 
ations. With flight fhades of difference, you 
have the fame religion, manners, habits, aiid 
political principles. You have in a com- 
mon caufe fought and triumphed together ; 
the independence and liberty you po(fefs are 
the work of joint councils and joint effl^rts, 
or common dangers, fufferings^ and iuz- 
cciTes. 



5^0 THE LIFE OF 

" But thefe confiderations, however pow- 
erfully they addrefs themfelves to your fenfi- 
bility, are generally outweighed by thole 
which apply more immediately to your in- 
tereft. Here every portion of our country 
finds the moil commanding motives for carer 
fully guarding and preferving the union of 
the whole. 

'*The northi in an unreftrained intercourfe 
with tVitsGuih, protedted by the equal laws 
of a common government, finds, in the 
produdionsof the latter, great additional re- 
fources of mjaritime and com.mercial en- 
terprize, and precious materials of manu- 
faduring indiiflry. The south, in the fame 
intercourfe, benefiting the agency of the 
nertbj fees its agriculture grow, and its 
commerce expand. 

" Turning partly into its ov;n channels 
thefeamen of the ncrihy it finds its particular 
navigation invigorated ; and while it con- 
tributes, in different ways, to nourifli and 
increafe the general mafs of the national 
navigation, it looks forward to the protec- 
tion of a maritimie ftrength, ro which itfelf 
is unecjually adapted. The east, in a like 
intercourfe with the west^ already finds, and, 
in the progrefilve improvement of interior 
communications by land and water, will 
more and more find a valuable vent for the 
commodities which it brings from abToad, 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 321 

or manufadures at home. The west de- 
rives from iht: east fupplies requifite to its 
growth and comfort j and, what is perhaps 
of ftill greater confequence, it muft of ne- 
ceffity owe the Iccuie enjoyment of indif- 
penfable outlets for its own produdions to 
the weightj influence, and the future mari- 
time ftrengih, of the atlantic fide of the 
union, direded by an indifibluble com.mu- 
iiity of intereft ay one nation. Any other 
tenure by which the west can hold this ef- 
fential advantage, whether derived from its 
own feparate ftrength, or from an apoftate 
and unnatural connexion with any foreign 
power, mud be intrinfically precarious. 

*^ While then every part of our country 
thus feels an immiediate and particular inter- 
cft in union, all the parts combined cannot 
fail to find in the united mafs of means and 
efforts greater flrength, greater refource, 
proportionably greater iecurity from extern- 
al danger, a lefs frequent interruption of 
their peace by foreign nations ; and, what is 
of inestimable value, they muft cierive from 
union an exemption from thofe broils and 
wars between themfelves which fo frequent- 
ly affli<Sl: neighbouring countries not tied to- 
gether by the fame government; which their 
own rivalfhips alone would be fufficient to 
produce, but which opofite foreign allianceSj 
attachments, and intrigues, would ftimulatc 



S22 THE LIFE OF 

and imbltter. Here likewise they will a- 
void the necefiity of thofe overgrov/n milita- 
ry eftablifliments, which, under any form of 
government are inauspicious -to liberty, and 
which are to be regarded as particularly hof- 
tile to republican liberty. In this (enfe it is 
that your union ought to be confidered as a 
main prop of your liberty, and that the love 
of the. one ought to endear you to the prefer* 
vation of the other. 

*' Thefe confiderations fpeak a perfuafive 
language to every receding and virtuous 
mind, and exhibit the continuance of the 
Union as a primary objed of parriotic de- 
fire. Is there a doubt whether a comm.on 
government can em-brace f> large a fphere ? 
Let experience folve it. To liften to mere 
fpeculation in luch a cafe were criminal. — 
We are authorifed to hope that a proper or- 
ganization gf the whole, with the auxiliary 
agency of governments for the refpe6live 
fcibdivifions, will afford a happy issue to the 
experiment. It is well worth a fair and full 
experiment. With fuch powerful and obvi- 
ous motives to union, afFedling all parts of 
our country, while experience shall not have 
demonstrated its impracticability, there 
will always be reafon to diftruft the patriot- 
ism of thofe who, in any quarter, miay en- 
deavour to weaken its bands. 

*^ In contemplating the caufes which may 



(5E0RGE WASHINGTON. 323 

difturb our union, it occurs as matter of 
ferious concern, that any ground should have 
been furniflied for charaderifing parties by 
geographical difcr inclinations — northern and 
southern — atlantic and wejiern ; whence de- 
figning men may endeavour to excite a be- 
lief that there is a real difference of local in- 
ter efts and views. One of the expedients of 
party to acquire influence, within particular 
diftrids, is to mifreprefent the opinions and 
aims of other diftricls. You cannot fhield 
yourfelves too much againft the jealoufies 
and heart-burnings which fpring fiom thefe 
mifreprefentations : they tend to render 
alien to each other thofe who ought to be 
bound together by fraternai affedion. The 
inhabitants of our w'eftern country have late* 
ly had a ufeful l^ij^on on this head : they 
have feen, in the negociation by the execu- 
tive and in the unanimous ratification by chc 
fenate, of the treaty with Spain, arid in the 
univcrfal fatisfa6lion at that event through- 
out the United States, adecifive proof how 
unfounded were the fufpicions propagated 
among them of a policy in the general go- 
vernment, and in the atlantic ilates, un- 
friendly in regard to the MifTifippi: they 
have been witneffcs to the formation of two 
treaties, that with Great- Britain, and that 
v/ith Spain, which fecure to them everv thing 
they could clefire, in refpedt to our foreign 



324 THE LX^E OI 

relations, towards confirming their profperi- 
ty. Will it not be their wifdom to rely, for 
the prefervation ofthefe advantages on the 
union by which they were procured ? Will 
they not henceforth be deaf to thofe advifers, 
if fuch they are, who would fever them from 
their brethren, and conned them with aliens? 
To the efficacy and permanency of your 
union a government for the whole is indif- 
penfable — No alliances, however ftridl, be- 
tween the parts can be an adequate fubfti- 
tute J they muft inevitably experience the 
infractions and interruptions which all alli- 
ances have in all times experienced. Sen- 
(ible of this momentous truth, you have 
improved upon your firfl: efiay by the adop- 
tion of a conftitution of government better 
calculated than your former for an intimate 
union, and for the efficacious management 
of your common concerns. This govern- 
ment, the offspring of your own choice, 
uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full 
invefligation and mature deliberation, com- 
pletely free in its principles, in thediftribu- 
tion of its powers uniting fecurity with en- 
ergy, and containing within itfelf a provi- 
fion for its own amendment, has a jutt claim 
to your confidence and your fupport. He- 
fpe6l for its authoritv, compliance with its 
laws, acquiefcerxe in -its mealures, are du- 
ties enjoined by the fundamental maxims 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 32p 

of true liberty. The bafis of our polkicai lyf- 
tem is the right of the people to make and 
to alter their conftitutions of government— •• 
But the conftitution which at any tim.e ex- 
iits, until changed by an explicit and au- 
thentic ad of the whole people, is facredly 
obligatory upon all. The very idea of the 
power and the right of the people to eila- 
blifh government, presuppofes the duty of 
every individual to obey the eflabliihsd 
government. 

^^ All obftru6tions to the execution of the 
laws, all combinations and aiTociations, un- 
der whatever plaufible character, with the 
real defign to dire6t, control, countera6t, 
or awe the regular deliberation and 'd&:\on of 
the conftituted authorities, are dedtudlive 
of this fundamental principle, and of fatal 
tendency. They ferve to organize fadion, 
to give it an artificial and extraordinary- 
force — to put in the place of the delegated 
will of the nation tjnc will of a party, often 
afmall but artful and cnterprizing minority 
of the community ; and, according to the 
alternate triumphs of different parties, to 
make the public adminiftration the mirror 
of the ill-concerted and incongruous pro- 
jefls of faclion, rather than the organ of 
, confident and wholefome plans, digefted 
by common councils, and modified by mu- 
tual interefts. 

Ec 



326 THE 3LIFE OF 

" However combinations or afTociations Of 
the above defcription may now and th^n 
anfwer popular ends, they are likely, in. the 
courfeof time and things, to become potent 
engines, by which cunning, annbitious, and 
unprincipled men will be enabled tO'fub- 
vert the power of the people, and to ufurp 
for themfeives the reigns of government ; 
deftroying afterwards the very engines 
which have lifted them to unjuft domi- 
nion. 

*^ Towards the prefcrvation of your go- 
vernment, and the permanency of yqur pre- 
fent happy ftate, it is requifire not only that 
you (leadily difcountenance irregular oppofi- 
tions to its acknovv'ledged authority, but alfo 
that you refill with care the fpirit of innova- 
tion upon its principles, however fpeciousthe 
pretexts. One method of alTault m:iy be to 
efFccr, in the forms of the conftitution, al- 
terations which will impair the energy of 
the fviiem, and thus to undermine what 
cannot be di redly overthrovv'n. In all the 
changes to which you may be invited, re- 
member that time and habit are at leaf!: as 
nee ilary to fix the true character of go- 
vrrnmencs as of other human inftitutions ; 
that experience is the fureit flandard by 
which to teft the real tendency of the exilic 
ing conRitution of a country — that facility 
in changes, upon the credit of mere hypo- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 327 

theds and opinion, expofes to perpetual 
change froni the endiefs variety of hypothe- 
fis and opinion ; and remember, efpecially, 
chat for the efficient management of your 
common interefls, in a country foextenfive 
as ours, a government of as much vigour 
as is confident with the perf^d fecurity of 
liberty^ is indifpenfable. Liberty itftif will 
find in fuch a government, with powers 
properly diftributed and ad ju feed, its furefi: 
guardian. It is, indeed, iittie elfe than a 
name, where the government is too feeble 
to withftand the enterprizes of fadlion, to 
confine each member of the fociety within 
the limits prefcribed by the laws, and to 
maintain all in the fecure and tranquil en- 
joyment of the rights of peribn and pro- 
perty. 

" 1 have already intimated ro you the dan- 
ger of parries in the Oate, with particular 
reference to the founding of them on geo-> 
graphical difcriminations. Let me now take 
a comprehenfive view, and warn you in the 
mod folemn manner againft the baneful ef- 
fedls of the fpirit of party, generally. 

*' This fpirit, unfortunately, is inlcparable 
from our nature, having its root in the 
ftrongefl: pafiions of the human mind. It 
exifts, under different fhapes, in all govern- 
ments, more or lefs ftiMed, controlled, or 
repreffedj but in thofe of the popular form 



328 THE LIFE OF 

it is {(^en in its greatcft ranknefs ; and it is 
truly their worft enemy. 

*' The alternate domination of one fadlion 
over another, iharpened by the fpirit of re- 
venge, natural to party difTentions, which 
in different ages and countries has perpe- 
trated the mod horrid enormities, is itfelf 
a frightful defpotifm. 

" The diforders and miferies which refult 
gradually incline the mind of men to feek 
fecurity and repofe in the abfolute power 
of an individual; and fooner or later the 
chief of feme prevailing fadion, more able 
or more fortunate than his competitors, 
turns this difpofition to the purpofes of his 
own elevation on the ruins of^ public li- 
berty. 

*' Without looking forward to an extremity 
of this kind (which nevcrthelefs ought not 
to be entirely out of fight,) the common and 
continual mifchiefs of the fpirit of party are 
fufficient to make it the intereft and duty of a 
wife people to difcourage and reilrain it. 

'^' it ferves always to diftraft the public 
councils, and enfeeble the public adminis- 
tration. It agitates the community with ill- 
founded jealoufies and falfe alarms kindles 
the animofity of one party againft another; 
foments occafionally riot and infurreftion. 
It opens the door to foreign influence and 
corruption, which find a facilitated accefs to 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 329 

government itfelf through the channels of 
party paffions. Thus the policy and the 
will of one country are fubjeAed to the poli- 
cy and the will of another. 

" There is an opinion that parties in free 
countries are ufeful checks upon the admin- 
iftration of the governmment, and ferve to 
keep alive the fpirit of liberty. This, with- 
in certain limits, is probably true ; and in 
governments of a monarchical call patriot- 
ifm may look with indulgence, if not with 
favour, upon the fpirit of party : but, in tholb 
of the popular chara6ter, in governments 
purely eledive it is a fpirit not to be encour- 
aged. From their, natural tendency it is 
certain there will always be enough of that 
fpirit for every falucary purpofe. And there 
being conllant danger of excels, the efForc 
ought to be, by force of public opinion, to 
mitigate and afTuagc it. A fire not to be 
quenched, it demands a uniform vigilancv 
to prevent its burfting into a flame, lell, i;i 
ilead of warming, it iliould confuirie. 

'^ It is important, likewife, that the habrrs 
of thinking in a free country ili 01= id injpire 
caution in thofe entrufted with its adminis- 
tration to confine themfelvts within their 
rerpe<51:ive conititutional fpheres, avoid ing'in 
the exercife of the powers of onedepartiiient 
to encroach upon another. The fpirit ot 
encroachment tends to confolidate the pow- 
E e 2 



350 THE tIFE OF 

ers ofall the departments in one, and thus 
to crea;:e, whatever the form of government, 
a real defpotifm. A juft eftimate of that 
love of power, and pronenefs to abufe it, 
which predominates in the human heart, is 
fufficient to fatisfy us of the truth of this po- 
fition. The necefTity of reciprocal checks 
in the exercife of political power, by divid- 
ing and diftributing it into different depofi- 
tories, and conftituting each the guardian of 
the public weal againft invafions by the oth- 
ers, has been evinced by experiments ancient 
and modern ; fome of them in our own coun- 
try, and under our own eyes. To preferve 
them muft be as neceflary as to infhitute 
them. If, in the opinion of the people, the 
diftribution or m.odification of the conftitu- 
lional powers be in any particular wrong, let 
it be correded by an amendment in the way 
which the conftitution defignates. But le^ 
there be no change by ufurpation ; for 
though this, in one inftance, may be the in- 
ilrjLiment of good, it is thccuftomary weapon 
by which free governments are deftroyed. 
' 1 he precedent mufl: always greatly overbal- 
ance, in permanent evil, any partial ortran- 
fient benefit which the ufe can at any time 
yield. 

" Ofall the difpofuions and habits which 
leads to political profperity, religion and 
Oiorality are indefpenfable fupports. la 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 331 

vain would that man claim the tribute of pa- 
triotifm who fhould labour to fubvert thefe 
great pillars of human happinefs, thefe firm- 
eft props of the duties of men and citizens.— 
The mere politician, equally with the pious 
man, ought to refped and to cheridi them, 
A volume could not trace all their connexions 
with private and public felecity. Let itfim- 
ply be alked, where is the fecurity for pov- 
erty, for reputation, for life, if the fenfc of re- 
ligious obligation desert the oaths which are 
the inftruments of inveftigation in courts of 
juftice ? And let us with caution indulge 
the fuppofition, that morality can be main- 
tained without religion. Whatever may be 
conceded to the influence of refined educa- 
tion on minds of peculiar (Irudlure, reafon 
and experience both forbid us to expe6l that 
national morality can prevail in exclufion of 
religious principles. 

"It is fubftantially true that virtue or 
morality is a necefl^ry fpring of popular go- 
vernment. The rule, indeed, extends, with 
more or lefs force, to every fpecies of free go- 
vernment. Who that is a finccre friend to 
it can look with indilFerence upon attempts 
tofhake the foundation of the fabric ? 

*' Promote, then, as an obje^l of primary 
importance, inftitutions for the general dilfu- 
fion of knowledge. — In proportion as the 
fcrudure of a government gives force to 



352 THE LIFE OF 

public opinion it is efTential that public opin- 
ion fhould be enlightened. 

^' As a very important fource of (Irength 
and fecurity, cherifh the public credit. One 
method of preferving it is to ufe it as fpar- i 
ingly as polTible, avoiding occafions of ex- j 
pence by cultivating peace j but remember- j 
ing alfo that tirnely difburfements to prepare ! 
for danger frequently prevent much greater j 
diilDurfcments to repelit J avoiding likewife ! 
the accumulation of debt, not only by Ihun- 
ning occafions ofexpence, but by vigorous 
exertions, in time of peace, to difcharge the 
debrs which unavoidable wars may have oc- 
cafioned ; not ungeneroufly throwing upon 
poftericy the burden, which we ourfeh^es 
ought to bear.— The execution of thefe , 
maxims belongs to your reprefentatives, but 
it is necellary that public opinion fhould co- 
operate. — To facilitate to them the perform- 
ance oftheir duty, it is efientiahhat you fhould 
practically bear in mind, that towards the pay- 
ment of debts there rnuii be revenue j that 
to have revenue there w.ud be taxes; that 
no taxes can be devifcd which are not more 
or lefs inconvenient and unpleafant ; that the 
intrinfic embarraiTment infeparable from the 
feledlon of the proper objeds (which is al- 
mays a choice of difficulties) ought to be a 
decifive znotive for a candid conilruclion of 
the condud of the goverRment in making it. 



CEORGE WASHINGTON. 333 

and for a fplrit of acquiefcence in the mea- 
fures for obtaining a revenue, which the 
public exigencies may at any tinrie dictate. 

'^ Obferve good faith and juftice towards 
all nations -, cultivate peace and harmony 
with all. Religion and morality enjoin this 
condu6t ; and can it be that good policy 
does not equally enjoin it ? It will be wor- 
thy of a free, enlightened, and, at nodillant 
period, a great nation, to give to mankind 
the magnanimous and too novel example of 
a people always guided by an exalted juftice 
and benevolence. Who can doubt that, in 
the courfe of time and things, the fruits of 
fuch a plan would richly repay any tempora- 
ry advantages which might be loft by a ftea- 
dy adherence to it? Can it be, thai Provi- 
dence has not conne(5led the permanent fe- 
lecity of a nation with its virtue ? The ex- 
periment, at leaft, is recommended by every 
fentiment which ennobles human nature. — 
Alas 1 is it rendered ImpofTible by its vices ? 

" In the execution of fuch a plan nothing 
is more eflfential than that permanent invete- 
rate antipathies againft particular nations, 
and paffionate attachments for others, ftiould 
be excluded ; and that, in place of them, 
juft and amicable feelings towards all iliould 
be cultivated. The nation which indulges 
towards another an habitual hatred, or an 
habitual fondnefs, is in fome degree a Have* 



534 THE LIfE OF 

-It is a flave to its animofity or to Its affec- 
tion, either of which is fiifficient to lead it 
ailray from its duty and its intereft. Anti- 
pathy in one nation againft another difpofes 
each mere readily to offer infiilt and injury, 
to lay hold of flight caufes of umbrage, 
and to be haughty and intradable when ac- 
cidental or trifling occaflons of difpute oc- 
cur. Hence frequent coilifions, obflinate, 
envenomed, and bloody contefls. The na- 
tion, prompted by ill -will and refentment, 
fometimes impels to war the government 
contrary to the beft calculations of policy. 
The goveinm.ent fom.etimes participates in 
the national propenflty, and adopts through 
paffjon what reafon would reject : at other 
times, it makes the animioflty of the na- 
tion fubfervient to projedl:s of hoftility in- 
ftigated by pride, ambition, and other fl- 
nifter and pernicious motives. The peace 
often, fometimes, perhaps, the liberty of 
nations, has been the victim. 

** So likewife, a paff:onate attachment of 
one nation for another produces a variety of 
evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, 
facilitating the illufton of an imaginary com- 
mon interefl: in calls where no real comm.on 
interefl: exifbs, and infufing into one the en- 
mities of the other, betrays the former in- 
to a participation in the quarrels and wars 
of the latter, without adequate inducement 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 355: 

or'juftification. Ic leads alfo to concefTions 
to the favourite nation of privileges denied 
to others, which is apt doubly to injure the 
nation making the concefiions, by unnecef- 
farily parting with what ought to have been 
retained, and by exciting jealoufy, ill-will, 
and a difpofition to retaliate, in the patties 
from whom equal privileges are withheld : 
and it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or de- 
luded citizens (who devote themfelves to 
the favourite nation) facility to betray or 
facrifice the interefts of their ov;n country 
\vithout odium, fometimes even with po- 
pularity ; gilding with the appearances of a 
virtuous fenfe of obligation a commendable 
deference for public opinion, or a laudable 
zeal for public good, the bafe or fooliili 
compliances of ambition, corruption, or 
infatuation. 

** As avenues to forei(?n influence, in in* 
numerable ways, fuch. attachments are par- 
ticularly alarming to the truly enliglitened 
and independent patriot. How miany op- 
portunities do they afford to tamper with 
domeilic fadions, to praflife the arts of fe- 
dudion, to mifiead public opinion, to in- 
fluence or awe the public councils ! Such 
an attachment towards 2. fmall or weak, 
towards a great and powerful nation, dooms 
the former to the satellites of th^ latter. 

" A-gainil^the infidious wiles of foreign in- 



336 THE LIFE OF 

fluence (I conjure you to believe me, fel- 
ow-citizens) the jealoufy of a free people 
ought to be constantly awake ; fince hiftoi y 
and experience prove that foreign influence 
is one of the moft baneful foes of republi- 
can government. But that jealoufly to be 
ufeful muft be impartial; elfe it becomes 
the inftrument of the very influence to be- 
avoided, inftead of a defence againfl: it. 
Exctrflive partiality for one foreign nation, 
and excefllve diflike for another, caufe thofe 
whom they actuate to fee danger only on one 
fide, and fcrve to veil, and even fecond, 
the arts of influence on the the other. Real 
patriots, who may refift the intrigues of the 
favourite, are liable to become fufpeded 
and odious ; while its tools and dupes ufurp 
the applause and confidence of the people 
to furrender their interefts. 

** The great rule of condu6b for us, in re- 
gard to foreign nations, is extending our 
commercial relations; to have with them as 
little policical connexion as poflible. So far 
as we have already formed engagements, let 
them be fulfilled with perfed good faith.r— 
PI ere let us flop. 

*' Europe has a {(^t of primary interefls, 
which to us have none, or a very remote re- 
lation. Hence fne nvjfl; be engaged in fre-. 
quent controverfles, the caufes of which are 
eflentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 337 

therefore, it muft be unwifc in \n to impli* 
cate ourfelves, by artificiai ties, in the or- 
dinary viciffitiides of her politics, or the or-' 
dinary combinations and collifions of her 
fflendfhips or enmities. 

" Our detached and diftant fituation in- 
vites and enables us to purfue a different 
courfe. If we remain one people, under 
an efficient government, the period is not 
far off when we may de^y material injury 
from external annoyance; when we may 
take fuch an attitude as will caufe the neu- 
trality we may at any time relolve upon to 
be fcrupuloufly refpedled ; when belligerent 
nations, under the impofilbility of making 
acquifitions upon us, will not lightly hazard 
the giving us provocation ; when we may 
choofe peace or war, as our intereft, guided 
by juftice, fhall counfel. Why forego the 
advantages of fo peculiar a fituation ? Why- 
quit our own to ftand upon foreign ground ? 
Why, by interweaving our deftiny with 
that of anv part of Europe, entangle our 
peace and profperity in th^ toils of European 
ambition, rivaifhip, intereft, humour, or 
caprice ? It is our true policy to (leer clear 
of permanent alliances with any portion of 
the foreign world ; fo far, I mean, as we 
are now at liberty to do it; for let me not 
beunderftood as capable of patronizing in- 
fidelity to exifting engagements. I hold 
Ff 



.338 THE LIFE OF 

the maxim no lefs applicable to public than 
to private affairs, that honcfly is always the 
btfl policy. I repeat it, therefore, let thofe 
engagements be obferved in their genuine 
fenie. But, in my opinion, it is unneceflary, 
and would be unwife, to extend them. 
Taking care always to keep ourfelves, by 
fuitable eftablifhments, on a refpedable de- 
fenfive poflure, we may fafely trufl to tem- 
po] aiy alliances for extraordinary emer- 
gencies. 

'' Harmony, and a liberal intercourfe with 
all natiors, are recomimendcd by policy, 
humanity, and interelh But even our com- 
m.ercial policy fliould hold an equal and im- 
partial hand -, neither fetking nor granting 
exclufive favours or preferences j confulting 
the natural courlc of things ; diffufing and 
divnfifying by gentle means, the dreams of 
crmnieice, but inrcing nothing ; cfhablifh- 
ii .R v.iih pov.'ers lo difpoftd, in order to 
give tiade a Uabie couife, ro define the 
rights of f-ur merchants, and to enable the 
gc.veinrr^nt to fupport ihem^, conventional 
ruicj- of inrejcourie, ihe bell that prefent 
citcuml-ances and mutual opinion will per- 
il, it, but temporary, ami liable to be from 
t.ime to time abandoned or varied, as ex- 
perier.c e and circumdlances iliali didate ; 
conftanily ktcping in view, that it is folly 
in, one nation to look for difintereiled fa- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 339 

vours from another ; rhar it mull pay, v, ith 
a portion of its indep^^ndencc^i for..\^hac'/ver 
it may accept under that chara6ler ; thai, by 
fuch acceptance, it may place itfelfin the 
condition of having given equivalents for 
nominal favours, and yetof being reproach- 
ed Vv-ith ingratitude for not giving more. 
There can be no greater error than to ex- 
ped: or calculate upon real favours from na- 
tion to nation. It is an illufion v/hich experi- 
ence mull cure; which a juli pi idc ought 
to difcard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, thefe 
counfels of an old and affectionate friend, 
1 dare not hope they v/iii make the (Irong 
and lading impreffion I could wifh ; that 
they will control the ufual current of the 
paflions, or prevent our nation from running 
the courfe which has hitherto marked the 
deftiny of nations j but if I may even flat- 
ter myfelf that they may be produdlive of 
iome partial benefit, fome occafional good ; 
that they may now and then recur to mode- 
rate the fury of party fpirir, to warn againft' 
the mifchiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard 
againft the impoflures of pretended pa- 
triotilm; this hope will be a full recom- 
penfe for the folicitude for the welfare by 
which they have been diiftated. 

How far, in the difcharge of my official 
duties, I have been guided by the principles 



340 THE LIFE OF 

which have been delineated, the public re- 
cords and other evidences of my condu6t 
muft witnefs to you and to the world. To 
myfelf the aflurance of my own confcience 
is, that I have at lead believed myfcif to 
be guided by them. 

*^ In relation to the ftill fubfifling v/ar 
in Europe, my proclamation of the 22d 
April, 1793, is the index to my plan. Sanc- 
tioned by your approving voice, and by 
that of your reprcfcntatives in both houfes 
of congrefs, the fpirit of that meafure has 
continually governed me, uninfluenced by 
any attempts to deter or divert me from it. 
After deliberate examination, with the aid 
of the beft lights I could obtain, I was 
well fatisfied that our country, under all 
the circumuances of the cafe, had a right 
to take, and was bound in duty and inte- 
reft to take, a neutral pofition. Having 
taken it, I determined, as far as fliould de- 
pend upon me, to maintain it with mode- 
ration, perfeverance, and firmnefs. The 
confiderations with refped to the right to 
hold this conducSt, it is not necelTary on 
this occafion to detail. I will only obferve, 
that, according to my underftanding of the 
matter, that lighr, fo far from being deni- 
ed by any of the belligerent powers, has 
he^ti virtually admitted by all. The duty 
of hokiing a neutral condu<5t may be infer- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 341 

red, without any thing more, from t-he obli- 
gation which juftice and humanity impofe 
on every nation, in cifes in which it is free 
to a£V, to maintain inviolate the relations 
of peace and amity towards other nations. 

" The inducements of intereft for obferv- 
ing that condu6l will beft be referred to 
your own refle(5lions and experience. With 
me, a predominant motive has been to en- 
deavour to gain time to our country to fet- 
tle and mature its yet recent inilitutions, 
and to progrefs, without interruption, to 
that degree of flrength andjConfiRency 
which is neceflary to give it, humanly fpe^ik- 
ing, the comimand of its own fortunes/ 

*' Though, in reviewing the incidents of 
my adminiflration, I am unconscious of 
intentional error, I am neverthelefs too fen- 
fible of my defccSts not to think it probable 
that I may have committed many errors. 
Whatever they may be, I fervently befeech 
the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils 
to which they may tend. 1 fhail alfo carry 
with me the hope that my country will 
never ceafe to view them with indulgence; 
that, after forty-five years of my life dedi- 
cated to its fervice, with an upright zeal, 
the faults of incompetent abiiites will be 
configned to oblivion, as myfelf mufl foon 
be to the manfions of reft. 

'^ Relying on its kindnefs in this as in 

F f 2 



342 THE LIFE OF 

Other things, and adluated by that fervent 
love towards it which is fo natural to a man 
who views in it the native foil of himfelf 
and his progenitors for feverai generations, 
I anticipate with pleafmg expectation, that 
retreat in which I promife myfelf to realize 
without alloy, the fweet enjoyment of par- 
taking, in the midft of my fellow- citizens, 
the benign influence of good laws under a 
fi'QC government — the ever favourite object 
of my heart, and the happy revvard, as I 
trufl, of our mutual carts, labours, and 
dangers. '"' 

G. Vf ASHINGTON. 
United States, 17 th Sept, 179-6. 

CHAPTER XXXr, 



Washington retires Bis death., ..Funeral. 

Character, 



w 



ASHINGTON once more retired to 
his favourite feat, with the hope of devoting 
the remi'iinder of his life to the calm duties 
of piety and beneficence. From March, 
1797, to July, 1798, he enjoyed the rational 
happinc-fs confer ed by virtwe. The aggref- 
fions of France at this time alarmed America 
fo, that in order chat they might be prepared 
to refi{lopenho{lilicy,congrefs thought it ex- 
pedient to embody the militia, and raife an 



GEORGE WxISHINGTON. ^43 

army of 12,000 men, this army however was 
of little ufe, and matters being adjafted they 
were dismiiTcd. Convinced of the integrity 
and abilities of Waihingtxin, the legiflative 
body appointed him generalifllmo of the A- 
merican armies ; and, obedient to the voice of 
patriotifm he accepted the appointment, to 
a(ft, but with reluctance, and before any ac- 
tion was necefifary, the moment approached 
in which he v/as to be removed to a higher 
ftatc of exiftence. 

On Thurfday, the 12th of December, 
1799, he rode out to one of his pi an tat ions, 
a!nd the day being rainy he caughtcold, which 
brought on an inflammatory fore-throat. — 
T his difcafe became alarming on Friday, and 
when his phyfician arrived on Saturday 
morning, medical aid was inefficacious, 

A few minutes before he expired, he en~ 
quired^ ^'Dodor, how long am I to remain 
in this fituation ?'* " Not long, fir," was 
the mournful reply. 

We have now attended Wafhington to 
his death bed, where he lies' furrounded by 
his weeping friends and domeftics. With 
what calm fortitude does he fufFer pain ! 
Even death has no terror for the venerable 
hero I He has long been familiarifed to dan- 
ger, and confiders the difTolution of his fram^e 
asone ofthe neceffary operations of nature. 
Piety to his creator, and love of his coun-try, 



344 THE LIFE OF 

were the motives of his adlions j and he con- 
fidered a life of beneficence as the bed 
proof he could give of his veneration for the 
father of man. Now, like a traveller who 
has explored various regions, and who, hav- 
ing experienced the alternations of ad verfity 
and profperity, has arrived at his journey's 
end, he lays down his head to repofe, with 
the hope of rifing to a happy immortality. 

Thus his laft fcene correfponded with the 
whole tenor of his life. In the full poUef- 
fion of his reafon he breathed his lafb without 
a groan, on Saturday, the 14th of December, 
1799, in the 68th year of his age. 

On Wednefday, the 18th of December, 
the remains of Wafhington were interred in 
the family vault at Mount Vernon. The 
funeral was atrended by a multitude of per- 
Ibns of both fexes, who came to pay the laft 
fad honours to their benefa(flor. 

TJie follcwing is an account of the Interment. 

On Wednefday lad the mortal part of 
Wafhington the great, the father of his coun- 
try, and the friend of man, was configncd to 
the tomb, with folemn honours and funeral 
pomp. 

Between the hours of three and four 
o'clock the corps was moved, and a band of 
mufic, Vv'ith mournful melodv, melted the 



e£ORGE WASHINGTON. 345 

foul in all the tendernefs of woe, for their be- 
loved chief. 

The proceflion was formed, and moved in tlie 
following order : 

Cavalry Infantry Guards 

(With arms revcrfcd). 

Mufic. 

Clergy. 

The general's horfe, with his faddle, hol(lers and 

piftols. 

Colonel Simms, H Colonel Gilpin, 

R-jmfay, ^ Marftdler, 

. Payiie, g" _»— . Little. 

Mourners, 

Mafonic Brethren. 

Citizens. 

When the procefTion had arrived at the fa- 
mily vault, at the bottom ofthe elevated lawn 
on the banks of the Powtamac, the cav^airy 
halted, .the infantry marched towards the 
Mount, and formed the lines; the clergy, the 
mafonic brothers, and the citizens, defcend- 
ed to the vault, and the funeral fervice ofthe 
church was performed. 

Three general difcharges by the infentry, 
the cavalry, eleven pieces of artillery, which 
lined the banks ofthe Powtamac, and fram 
a vcfTcl that lay in the river, paid the laft 
tribute to the entombed commander in chief 
of the armies of the United States, and to 
the venerable departed hero. 



346 THE LIFE OF 

The Sun was now letting. Alas ! the 
Sun of Glory was fet for ever. No — rhe 
name of Wafhington, the American prcfi- 
tlent and general, will triumph over death : 
the unclouded brightncfs of his glory will 
illuminate future ages, 

Congrefs have decreed, that the remains 
of the American hero fliould be removed to 
the Capitol in the city of Wafliington, and 
interred under a column, infculptured with 
an account of his principal achi( vrments. 
The prefident wrote to mrs. Vvafh ngton 
for her concurrence, and that amiable wo- 
man relu6i:antly confented -, for, as fhe fays, 
^^ I muft confent to the requefl made by con- 
grefs; and in doing this I need not, I cannot, 
fay, what a facrificeof individual feeling I 
make to a fenfe of public duty." 

The will of this great man difplays the 
fame moderation and goodnefs of heart 
which adluated him throughout his life. — 
May his example excite the emulation of 
his countrymen, who have been too long re- 
trained by interefl from yeilding to the ge- 
nerous impulfe of humanity, and reftoring 
their flaves to that liberty which is the birth- 
right of man 1 

Wafliington was tall, cre6l, and Vv^ell 
made, but thin. His eyes were light blue, 
his nofe rather long, and his countenance 
cxpreflive of extreme fenfibility. His de- 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. , S4> 

meanour was dignified and moded. " There 
was a mild fcrf nity in his deportnnent ; he 
was flow and moderate in his refentments; 
and if he had faultSjhe muft have been fenfiblc 
of them, and was very fuccefsful in conceal- 
incT them fiom the world/' He was affa- 
blf, generous, and confcientious. His val- 
uable library, and a correfpondence with 
eminent men, furnilhed him with a rich fund 
of knowledge ; and the productions of his 
pen are perfpicuous and fenfibje. He was 
an aftedionate hufband, a difinterefted 
friend, a benign mailer, and a benefadlor to 
the indigent. He pradifed the foci^l vir- 
tues not merely becaufe they were enjoined 
by religion, but from his innate love of rec- 
titude. 

The fimilarlty between his public virtues 
and thole of Alfred the great is admirable. 
Thefe extrordinary rren were both celebrat- 
ed for their love of juftice, their fortitude, 
patriotifm, and piety. When Alfred ex- 
changed the miHrary garb for that of the 
peafanr, he fuffered a g; eater reverfe of for- 
tune than ever befel Wailiington ; and when 
in difguife he explored the camp of the 
Danes, and hilled lufpicion by the melody of 
his harp, he evinced a more enterprizing gen- 
ius than rhe American. The capture of the 
HefTians at Trenton, however, reminds us 
of the achievemiCnt of Alfred ; who, by fur- 



548 rHE LIFE OF 

prizing the Daniftt camp, revived the hopes 
ofhis counrrymen. Wafhington founded a 
reptrblic ; he was inftrumental to the efla- 
bliflimentofits polity, and retired "with all 
his blujfhing honours thick upon him; " obe- 
dient to the will ofhis country, he rcfumed 
the command of her armies, and died as he 
had lived, a true patriot, Alfred by the fubju- 
gation ofhis country^ enemies, fecured her 
liberties and peace ; he was " her voice in 
council, in the field herfvvord.'' As a Ic- 
giflator, immortalized his name by the infti- 
tution of a trial by jury ; as a magiftrate, he 
prefided with unparalleled wifdom; the fcep- 
tre of power was confecrated by his hand ; 
and he was beloved, revered, nay almoft de- 
ified, by his countrymen. Wal"hington ex- 
celled Alfred in difcretion ; he weighed the 
confcquences of every ftep, and his prudence 
triumphed over oppofition. He was like 
the rifing fun, which, breaking through a 
dark cloud, illumines and beauti^es the cre- 
ation. His fuperior mind Ihone with an ef- 
fulgence that diffipated the gloom of fuper- 
llition and ignorance which furrounded him. 
and, like the vicegerent of Heaven, he pro- 
moted the happinefsof the human fpecifs ^ 
his adlions were more imitable than thofe or 
Alfred; and the virtuous American will be 
efteemed by poilerity as worthy to (land in 
the i^vnc rank with the mon: illuflrious. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON, 349 

Perhaps the only inftancc in which the 
public condudt of Walhington was cenfur- 
able, even by the Britifh themfelves, was in 
the condemnation of the unfortunate Andre. 

It mud be owned that he was a flave- 
holder, but his exemplary kindnefs to his 
dependants cannot reconcile to that in- 
confiftency, efpecialy in one who was fo 
ftrenuous and fuccefsfui an aflerter of liberty. 

But thefe errors of the American hero 
'were concealed by the dazzling luftre of his 
virtues. Our admiration mud be excited 
when we contemplate the feries of his adtions. 

When we behold him at the head of the 
army, then prefident of the senate, and af- 
terwards breathing the pure air of his fields 
in the fhade of retirement, we confefs that 
the venerable philofopher and ilatesman, 
attained what may be called th^Jublime of 
human nature. 

In his comprehenfive mind, were united 
the difintereftednefs of Cincinnatus, the 
munificence of Cyrus the great, and the piety 
of Marcus Aurelius. We may fay of him 
^s Auguftus did of Cicero, " he was an hoT> 
cll man, and loved his country c" 

FINIS. 



Gg 



SUBSCRIBERS* NAMES. 



NEW-YORK. 



Acheson, Andrew 
Anderson, David 
Anderson, William 
Angcvine, James 
Armstrong, John 
Angcvine, Lewis 
Agncw, James 
Andarise, Barnet 
Anthony, John P. 
Armstrong, John 
Aikens, James 

B 

Booth, Mrs. Lydia 
Buchan, Robert 
Boston, Robert 
Benney, John 
Bell, Samuel 
Boardman, E. 
Brisbanj William 
Brower, Joseph R, 
Brown ne, Charles 
Brown, James 
Bailey, R. 
JBonham, Blathwart 
Bush, Daniel 
Bloodgood, John M* 



Banks, B, 
Burlock, Thomas 
Brown, John 
Byrne, Laurence 
Buckmaster, G. 
Bailey, Leonard 
Bean, John 
Burke, Thomas 
Bordeau, Henry 
Brower, A. 
Bell, Thomas 
Bingham, John esq^ 
Ball, John T. 
Bogardus, Matthew 
Bowne. S. jun. 
Baldwin, Caleb W. 
Bccanon, Philip 
Bcaty, William 
Burke, John 

C 

Coruth, Peter 
Campbell, Alexander 
Carter, Adolph. 
Clark, Nathaniel, jun* 
Cunningham, John 
Carlone, Alexander 
Clark, Alexander 
Campbell, Alexander 
Clark, Catharine 



SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. 



Cooper, Thomas 
Cronin, David 
Coleman, Silas 
Cannon, I>avid 
Crighton, James 
Concklin, David 
Carmcjon, Hugh 
Cranstoun, Thomts 
Cox, Charles 
Carlisle, Francis 
Carithcrs, George 
Craig, Robert 
Cornwall, James 
Chappel, Peter 
Conrod, Jordon 
Clark, AViUiam 
Cox, Rcrbert 
Craig, Keclor 
Cheetham, James 
Crooks, John 
Conrotj William 

D 

Duslan, William 
Dooly, Andrew 
Duncan, Thomas 
Dodd, Moses 
Daniels, David J. 
Dally, John 
Dean, Henry 
Durie, John 
Downs, Robert 
Davenport, John 
Dooly, Patrick * 
Dufiie, James 
Dean, Gilbert 
Duncan, James 
Donnington^ Jacob 



Degray Micheal 
Davis Abraham 



Elsworth Francis 
Edgerly, John 
Eltring, Peter 
Emmons, Petet 
Earle, John 
Ellis«n, Caleb 

F 
Forrest, David 
Fenton, Peter 
Fairchild, Thomas 
Fothcringham, Thomas 
Frieland, Jacob 
Fowler, jabez 
Farral, Edmund 
Ferguson, John 
Ferguson, William 
Fosdick, Clemont 
Fouston, John 
Fisher, Alexander 
Ferris, Absolom 
Furman, Gabriel 
Fowler, Abraham 
Fowler, Drake 
Flander, John T, 
Frank, Jacob 
French, Nathaniel jun. 

G 

Gilchrifl, Robert 
Gibson, John 
Gibson, Lewis 
Gourne, John 
Cilley, Walter 
Gritman, James 
Gardner, Charles 



StJBSCRlBERS* NAMES, 



IH 



Gibsofi, Jimes 
Gomez, Isaac, jun. 
Galbraith, Allen 
Giragathy, John 
GrafF, John 

»Grt'en, John, jnn, 
Gcfiu, William 
Gun fey, Levi 
Gomez, Isaac 
GltTord, Andrew 
Grp.ham, John 
Cordon, Joseph 
Grant, Richard 
Griffiths, Joseph W« 
Gray, Andrew 
Gillespie, David 

j Hamilton, Tames 
j Hamilton, William 

Hitt, John 

Hoyt, Samuel, S. S« 
I Holmes, Eld ad 
j Howlett, Thomas 
I Halscy, Jacob 
i Hays, Jacob 

Hepturn, Stacy 

Hope, David 

Hopfon, James 
I Hegeman, Peter 
' Harriat, John 
I Hunt, Michael 

Hoyt, Jeffee 
I Heltey, Henry 

Hicks, Mott 

Heniy, Charles 

Hamilton, James 

Hardie, John 



Hardie, James jufl, 
Hewitt, William 
Hill, Joseph 
Huntington, D 
Hicks, John 
Harrison, William 
Hardie, James A 



M-. 



Ql S. G. D. G. 1, 

A. B. H. 
Hyde, George jun* - 
Hunter, James 
Haines, Elias 
Hunn, John S, esq. 
Hoogland, Abraham 

I J 

Inderwick, Andrew 
Janeway, William^ 
Jones, Benjamen 
Jones, Samuel 
Jones, John 
Jones, L. 
Jordon Conrad 
James, George 
Jordonj Mathiats 

K 

Kain, Francis 
Kirk, George 
Kceler, Isaac 
Kettle, David 
Kline, Leonard 
Kip, Hubert 
Knap, John 



Ludlam, Stewart 
Lovett^ John, sen^ 

£2 



S.V 



SUBSCRIBERS* NAMES. 



Lett, Andrew 
Lindsay, William 
Laing, and Turner, 
Laing, James 
Loughoorough. Isaac 
Lyons, Samuel 
Lawrence John 
Lovett, John, jutie # 
LefFords, William 
Little, George 
Letson, John 
Lyell, Fenwick 
Ludlam, Jacob 
Lavaty, George 

M 
Mitchel, Hon. Samuel 

M. D. L. L. D. 
M'Kay, James 
M'Lean, John 
M'Intosh, Allan 
M'Kny, George 
M'Intyer, Hugh 
Martling, Abraham 
Morrell, Thomas 
Martin* Samuel 
Moor, William 
Marsh, Moses 
Marshall, Benjamin 
Morrison, John 
Moor. Abraham 
Martin, Thennel ' 
Miles, Phineas 
Morgan, John 
Maxwell, WilHam 
MeniUws, Thorny 
Mills, John 
Morrison, John 



M'Farland, John jun. 
M'Farlane, M. 
M'Comb, John 
M'Garagan, Hugh 
M'Kay, Patrick, 2 copied 
M'Bride, William 
M'Closkey P. 
M'Gord, John 
M'Leod, Rev. Alex. 
Marshall; James 
Murdock, John B. 
M'Kenzie, Alexander 
M'Garteri James 
M'Queen, Robert 
M'Kittrick, Thomas 
Morris, Andrew esq. 
, Murray, Alexander 
Mansfield, John 

N 
Neyle, Thomas 
North, Benjamin 
Nevin, George 

O 

O'Hare, Hugh * 
OUiff, John 

P 

Post, Thomas 
Parker, William 
Pintard, John esq. 
Pierson, Daniel 
Perrin, John 
Palmer, Lancaster 
Pinckney, Williai^ 
Pritchard, A. 
Purdy, Jonah 



SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. 



Pell, Jonathan 
Pcuenger, Richard 
Peil, Caleb 
Peterson, William 
PoUions, James 
Tateson, Moses 
Patterson, William 
Penny, Jonathan 

R 
Ring, Elias 
Randall, James 
Randall, Benjamin 
Roosevelt, Elbert 
Rodman, John 
Ruggles, Joseph 
Ringer, Augustus 
Reily, John 
Rowe, Robert 
Rircket, John E. 
Rose, Isaac 



Scott, P. 
Spies, 



Stewa 






harles 



j Smith, D. 

j -Strout, Henry 

Smith, John B. 

SuttoB, Robert 

Simpfon, George 

Snyder, George 

Scisco, Peter 

Sharp, John 

Stewart, Sarah 

Stevenson, Thomas 

Stansbrough, Lewis G« 

Seely, Mason 
( Stuart, Tunif J, 



Stuart, Daniel 
Suter, Henry 
Shepherd, Edward 
Sheely, W^illiam 
Sinker, Edward 
Scott, William 
Sweeny, E. 
SmhJUli William 
Smitk, William 
Shepherd, Stephen 
Sherlock, Jame| 
Slowly, Maihew S. 
Seaman, Gapt. Richard 
Sturtevant, Eliphalet 
Spence, Gavin 
Sherwood, M. 
Sturdevant, John 



Tier, John 
Thurman, William 
Taylor, James 
Townsena, Mofes 
Tomlinson, B. H. 
Timpson, 'i\ 
Taylor, John 
Turnbull, Adam 
Thomson, James 
Tate, Thomas 
Terney, Luke 
Tolme, Colin 
Tise, Henry 
Turner, William 
Tooker Daniel N. 
Tillford, George 
Till ford, Alexand^jt 

U V 
Unicrwood, Phineas 




Vl 



SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. 



VanslycVj A. C. esq. 
Valentine, James 
Vanmaker, Henry 
Van A I den, Charles 
Valentine, Caleb 
Vosburgh, Hermaa 

W » 

Walker, George 250 
Wilier, Marinus 
Watson, Robert 
Walker, Hugh 
Wing, Lewis 
Wlnship, Ebeneser 
Winship, Thomas 
Weeks, William 
Walker, John 
Wall, James 
Weir, Thomas 
Wilson, Peter 
White, John, junT 
Walker, Joseph 
Woodward, William 
Wheeler, Solomon 
Wetmore, Timothy 
Williams, Andrew 
Watson, Benjamin 
Wilkeson, Rjchard 
Waldron, William J. 
Wollen, Charles 
V'heelan, Peter 
Wilson, Andrew 
W hi dock, Samuel 1^ 
Williams, John 
Ward, P^ugh 
Willson, Alexander 
Williams, John 



BROOKLYN. 

B 'prum^ Jt>seph F, 
Ginkins, J. 
Hendrickson, J, 
Herbert, John 
Hunter, John 
Jackson, John 
J( hnson,John 
CO* Jumpers. J. 
Little, John. 
Marsh, George 
M'Phar, Jacob 
Meeker, Benjamin 
Merrideth, John 
Petit, John 
Randecker, John 
Rappelyea, Tolhert 
Roye, Nicholas 
Skid more, Johi 
Swartcope, John 
Variofier Lasa 
Willcocks, William. 



JSH4 



FLAT-BUS] 
Bergen, Cornern 
Van Bueren, JolWHx 
D'tmass, J. 
Hall, Matthew 
Lefferts, John 
Loyd, Batman 
Lott, John 
Martinfon, Rem. 
Vanderver, Abraham 
Vandcrver, Michael 

RHINEBECK. 
Hammell Catharine, 
Troutfljan, Johft 



SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. 



v:ii 



II 



HARLEAM. 
Clarke, R. G. 
Genin John N. jun. 
Holmes Wra. B. 
Handel Jonathan jun* 

BEDFORD. 
Lefferts, Barnet 
Lott, Daoiel 
Terwolt, Michael Van 

Hoboken» 
Welling, John, esq, 

Harrison- totvn^ 
Brown, Purthena 

Tarry-town, 
HufFel, Samuel 

Nenv-Rochelkt 
€ook, George 



BUSHWIGK. 
Couzine, John 
Covert, John 
Conselyea, Ann 
Low, Cornelius 
WyckofF, Nicholas 

NEW-TOWN. 
Culvan, Abraham 
Johnfton, Charles 
Woodward, Joseph 

Monson (Mass*) 
Goodwin, Eli 

New- Burgh: 
Wayland, James 

BridgehamptQtki 
Rofe, Samuel H« 



ERRATA. 

In page 39.» line 2ifrom the top for 1756, read 
1657. ^ . 

Some other typographical errors may have escap- 
ed, which the reader will please to correct. 



# 



